A/N: Thank you to all the people who have reviewed so far. Also cheers to all my followers and readers. You keep me writing - encouraging me to continue. Well done.
Chapter Six
Al had forgotten all about the healing cream, but in the morning when he woke, he stretched and winced as his injuries hurt slightly. Scorpius glanced at him, with a thoughtful expression.
"Al, do you need me to put on another dose of healing cream?" He was concerned for Al, but also hopeful. If Al said yes, then he would get to touch Al again. With a valid reason for doing it.
Al poked a bruise on his side, "Ow. Yeah alright." He agreed, they did still twinge a bit.
Scorpius nodded and retrieved the pot of cream from Al's bedside table. Al had removed his top and was sat on the edge of the bed waiting for Scorpius.
Scorpius climbed onto the bed and positioned himself so he was sat behind Al, with his legs either side of Al on the bed. Al was leaning forwards and Scorpius took a moment to admire Al's muscles and how they flexed.
Oh how I want to lean forwards and kiss the nape of his neck.
He scooped up some cream and started applying it to the injuries at the top of Al's back. He planned on working his way down, taking it slowly and carefully.
Scorpius noted that this time Al didn't flinch, but he seemed to be holding himself extremely still.
It must take a huge amount of effort to stay that still. I wonder why he is tense. Is it me he's reacting to?
Scorpius smiled a slow calculating smile, from now on he would up the ante. He will look at Al for longer, touch him in innocent situations, but leave his hand lingering and maybe he will try some mild flirting.
Scorpius continued applying the cream, caressing and rubbing over Al's back with care.
Pleased that the other dorm mates had already left. Scorpius made sure his voice was low and sultry next to Al's ear, "You have an amazing physique" Scorpius complimented.
Scorpius felt Al tense slightly for a few seconds and hoped his words had a good effect and not received in horror. He couldn't see Al's face to gage his initial reaction.
"Um thanks" Al didn't really know what to say to that.
He was using all of his energy to sit still and to try and think of mundane things, to stop his brain from thinking too much about Scorpius' touches and his body extremely close to his back. He could feel Scorpius' hair tickle his shoulder as he lent forwards to talk to him. He could feel his warm breath ghost over his ear and then his low seductive voice as he complimented him.
Al was struggling not to be effected, that would be embarrassing. He gripped the bedcovers in his hands as he concentrated on his lessons for today and not on Scorpius' hands and there tender touches.
Scorpius smirked, he saw Al grip the bedcovers tighter and knew his whispering had a positive effect.
"Your back is done." Scorpius declared.
Before Al could take the cream to do his front, Scorpius climbed off the bed, knelt between Al's legs and started applying the cream to his front.
Al sucked in his breath and Scorpius felt his stomach muscles tighten.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Al stuttered.
Scorpius thought he sounded charming. He tilted his head up to face Al, met his gaze and smiled innocently.
"I'm putting healing cream on your injuries. You said I could." He casually replied.
Al's eyes were wide and he was blushing slightly. Most likely because of my position between his legs. I guess I am conjuring all sorts of thoughts in his head.
Scorpius continued to apply the cream as Al seemed immobile and rendered speechless.
Scorpius took his job as cream applier, very seriously. He made sure that each injury had a coating of cream and he even touched places that weren't injured, but only lightly and briefly. I'm not perfect – I can't resist touching him. He wasn't sat back on his feet so he wasn't face level with Al's groin, he didn't know what Al was worrying about.
In fact he was upright on his knees, fully so he was face level with Al's lovely and tempting looking nipples. I wonder if he likes his nipples being touched. Scorpius lifted his hand, but dropped it the next second. I can't just reach out and brush his nipple – what was I thinking.
He shook his head, stood and cast a cleaning charm on his hands. "Better get dressed Al. or we'll miss breakfast." Scorpius noted he sounded unruffled, but he was skilled at hiding his true emotions.
Al waited until Scorpius was busy packing his school bag before he stood. He had a semi and no way was he letting Scorpius know. Fuck that was intense. He doesn't even seem effected, maybe he was just being nice and applying the cream.
Al mumbled something about going to the toilet and left. Al knew Scorpius must have noticed his reaction, because when he knelt down between his legs he almost had a heart attack. He almost gasped when Scorpius reached out and ran his fingertips over his abs. He wasn't applying the cream when he did that.
Fuck, Fuckity, fuck fuck! Get a grip – so your friend is flirting with you. So what. I can handle it, the question is do I want it.
Al splashed his face with water, thought of random things to try and make his now erect cock go down. It didn't work, he kept thinking of the way Scorpius slowly lifted his face up and gave a stunning smile to Al. His long hair hang down his shoulders and framing his face perfectly.
Scorpius knocked on the door, "Al we're going to miss breakfast. What are you doing?" he said with humour.
Al winced, this isn't working. Instead of the 'think of something else' technique, he rearranged his erection so it was pointing upwards, he tucked the head underneath the waistband of his boxers and underneath the waistband of his trousers and belt. That should at least hide his erection, until the bloody thing goes away.
"I'm just coming" Al replied.
He regretted his choice of words once he heard Scorpius chuckle and say, "Are you now!" his voice sounded further away, like he was walking away from the bathroom door.
Al opened the door and quickly said, "I meant I was on my way. Not that I was….um"
Scorpius glanced over his shoulder and quirked an eyebrow at Al's rambling.
"I wasn't, I didn't, I …" Al struggled to explain.
"It's okay Al I believe you." Scorpius sounded amused.
They managed to make breakfast, but only just and they only had time for some toast and a few gulps of juice.
Al had managed to regain his usual composure, it helped that his erection had finally gone. Al glanced at Scorpius who was dutifully taking perfect and neat notes. He wore his hair down today and it was hypnotising.
Scorpius flicked his eyes to Al and noticed he wasn't taking notes and he was staring at his hair. Scorpius had it hanging down the side of his neck, all pulled over his left shoulder. Some of it had fallen out from behind his ear and was blocking Rose's view of him. As she sat on his left. Al sat on his right and as his hair was over his left shoulder, Al could see his face.
Al thought Scorpius' hair could rival a unicorns hair or mane or whatever it was. It was sleek, straight and glossy looking. It shined and the unique colour was captivating, Al couldn't draw his eyes away from it. Usually Scorpius wore his hair tied up. But they were running late today and he didn't have time. Al hoped he kept it down for the rest of the day.
"Mr Potter. Can you tell me an advantage of mastering nonverbal spell casting?" the defence against the dark arts teacher asked.
Al jumped he completely forgot they were in class.
Scorpius subtly pushed his notes in front of Al. Al glanced down quickly and saw the answer. The teacher couldn't see as they were sat at the back.
"Mr Potter I'm waiting" he said irritably.
"Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you are about to perform, which gives you a split-second advantage." He flatly replied.
"Very good. Yes a split second could be the difference between life and death." The teacher continued his lecture.
Al turned to Scorpius and saw he was smiling at him. Al returned his smile and mouthed, "Thanks".
After class Rose lectured Al on not paying attention and that he will struggle in his NEWTs if he doesn't pay attention.
Scorpius just grinned at him and listened to Rose lecture the pair of them.
Scorpius was in a very good mood. Al must like him a bit to be so effected by him. This morning when he applied the cream, and just now. Al was most definitely staring at him and his hair – well at least he thought it was his hair. Al's eyes seemed to follow every movement he made when it came to his hair.
He would follow Scorpius' hand as he tucked his hair behind his ear, or pulled it over his shoulder. He would watch as his hair fell loose and flowed down in front of him if he was leaning over his work.
Interesting. I may have to wear my hair down more often. Let's test my theory.
Scorpius pushed a loose strand of hair behind his ear, "Argh my hair is so annoying. That's why I usually wear it tied up, it gets in the way. Maybe I should cut it short?" Scorpius stated to Rose and Al at lunch.
Al said a bit loudly, "No don't cut it." Then lowered his voice as he realised he was being too loud. "I like it, I think it suits you and it…"
Rose interrupted with a snort, "You will be ordinary then, and a Malfoy wouldn't give up their advantage of being unique."
Scorpius narrowed his eyes at her. She had cut off what Al was about to say. How frustrating. But at least it answered my question, Al seemed attached to his hair. Scorpius filed that away for future reference.
"My dad has shorter hair and it looks just as brilliant as it does when it was long. I think no matter the hair style, a Malfoy will always be unique and look great." He stuck his nose in the air.
Rose laughed at him. "You know I sometime struggle, I don't know if you're being serious of joking."
"Well that's the fun of it, you'll never know I'll keep you guessing. It's never boring when you're my friend."
Rose agreed, "Certainly isn't. Al why don't you grow your hair out?" Rose turned her attention back to him.
He scrunched up his nose, "My hair is long enough. I tried to grow it long once, but Uncle George said I looked like professor Snape and I cut it. Git was probably winding me up but I wasn't taking the risk."
Rose laughed, "George is such a git. I can't wait for him to meet Scorpius. He'll give you a run for your money Malfoy. You'd be on the losing end for sure."
Scorpius' eyebrows rose briefly, "How do you know that? He might take a liking to me and we will turn against you. I have been known to be charming. I'm sure I can convince him with my brains that he is better off having me as an allie and you two as our victims. I can be his partner in crime."
"I doubt that. Besides he has his own kids that he uses against the rest of us – traitors." Rose shuddered as she remembered hearing that Fred had decided to join his dad and work for the family business.
"Scorpius is smart enough not to eat anything George offers him, or to fall for any silly pranks." Al said with conviction.
"And I'm not?" Rose asked.
"I'm a smart witch and I have fallen for plenty of pranks and tricks. It's inevitable and in a way a rite of passage. Like an initiation, he would accept you if you were pranked and took it as a joke and a laugh. He doesn't like uptight people, like Uncle Percy." She looked over at Scorpius assessing him.
"You'd be alright. Most the family will accept you. Just maybe Aunt Ginny, James and Aunt Fleur won't" she reasoned.
Al frowned, "Okay I get why mums on that list. She has a dislike of anything Malfoy. James will just be awkward as he will stand by mum, but with dad too – so he will switch between the two. But Fleur?" Al asked.
Rose waved her fork around as she explained, "Fleur will be jealous of his perfect fucking hair and maybe a bit resentful because Malfoy Senior let in that werewolf bloke who hurt Bill." She said it casually.
Scorpius froze for a second, "Fenrir Greyback?" Scorpius uttered quietly.
"Yeah. He was at the battle of Hogwarts and attacked our Uncle Bill. Left him badly scarred. Bill doesn't care, he's just thankful he survived and says the scars make him look sexy. Fleur still struggles with it though. Not because she doesn't like them, I think it's hard to forget the pain she went through at seeing Bill hurt like that." She elaborated.
Al glared at Rose and tilted his head towards Scorpius. Al's face and body language clearly said to Rose, 'Shut the fuck up'.
Rose frowned at Al and then glanced at Scorpius who had gone rather pale and seemed deep in thought.
"Um sorry Scorpius. Are you okay?" she asked nervously.
Scorpius blinked and looked over at Rose, "Yes I'm fine. It's difficult to hear you talk about it so casually. That was an event that has mentally scarred my dad for years, he beats himself up about it all the time. He regretted letting them in the school and the consequences that followed. He always felt bad about your Uncle Bill, but was worried an attempt at an apology would be ignored and not thought as sincere by the Weasleys."
Rose looked guilty. "Oh Scorpius sorry I didn't even consider what effect it would have on you and your family. I guess I should have thought before I spoke. Mum says I take after dad in that respect. She calls it 'foot in mouth disease', I have a bad case of it. Forgive me?"
Scorpius smiled at her, "Nothing to forgive Rose. Its fine I promise. I just forget sometimes that my dad was on the wrong side and I get a nasty reminder is all. Do you really think yours and Al's family will like me? Well apart from a few."
Al nodded, "Yeah why wouldn't they you're great."
Scorpius' smile brightened at such casual praise, but Al said it with such conviction. He really thinks I'm great.
Al continued, "Dad likes anyone really. Don't stare at his scar and he'll be fine. The rest will treat you as any other friend of ours, I'm sure." Al reassured him.
Rose nodded, determined to make up for her earlier slip up.
"Even my dad has matured it's been over twenty years since the war." She was confident that Scorpius would be accepted.
"You might get the odd remark but they mean it in jest." She thought she ought to add that part.
Scorpius relaxed somewhat. He wanted to be accepted by his friend's families and especially Al's.
That weekend was a Hogsmeade weekend and Al, Scorpius, few other sixth years, and some of Al's cousins went together. Rose went with Scott, on their first date.
Scorpius found himself in the middle, between Lucy and Roxanne Weasley. They linked their arms through his.
"So how long have you been lusting after Albie?" Roxanne said in a cheery voice.
Scorpius remained calm, casual and hopefully looked unaffected.
"I do not know what you are on about" he coolly answered.
Lucy grinned, "I think you know exactly what my dear cousin means. We can help you?"
Scorpius felt trapped, Weasleys everywhere. Hugo, Lucy, Roxanne and Lilly were all similar ages and Scorpius was relieved that the older Weasley/Potters had graduated. There were plenty here to deal with.
"Help?" he made sure he sounded interested yet casual.
"Yes. We can be very helpful." She didn't elaborate.
Lily approached them. "Girls put him down and leave the poor bloke alone. He can't deal with a double Weasley assault."
Roxanne and Lucy pouted but released him. Re-joining Hugo and Lily, leaving the older students to walk on ahead.
Al fell in step next to Scorpius, "Were they tormenting you? Don't fall for Roxanne's innocent act. She's just like Uncle George."
Scorpius sighed, "Your family is huge. I'm never going to remember all their names and who their parents are."
Al slung his arm across his shoulders. Scorpius noted he had done that a lot lately. He gets to touch me, yet appear to be acting in a friendly casual manner. He can excuse it as innocent. Scorpius wouldn't complain, not if Al was touching him.
"I'll draw you a family tree. If you forget their first names, just call them Weasley." He joked.
Scorpius grinned at him, "Promise me you'll never leave me in a room full of Weasley/Potters."
Al squeezed Scorpius' shoulder, "No can do. If you're going to come visit me over Christmas you'd be expected to survive the inevitable bedlam."
"Is that your way of inviting me?" he laughed.
"No, I was just making a comment. I just assumed you'd be visiting me – it's a given." He confidently declared.
"Really. Bit cocky of you. I'll visit, but bear in mind it works both ways. You better brush up on your table manners, so you can visit me at Malfoy manor." He said with glee and a mischievous smile.
"Oh fuck I didn't even think of that. Scorpius I will flounder and mess up, your family will hate me." He seemed genuinely worried.
"My family seem more intimidating because of their surroundings. But they are human and I'm sure they will at least tolerate you. Maybe not grandfather, but hey you can't win them all." He teased.
"Your gra-grandfather" Al gulped.
"Don't worry about him, he has a sharp tongue. But he knows he can't push his luck, besides he'll be too busy lecturing me for being gay. I will be a distraction." He smiled.
"My grandparents usually live elsewhere, but over the holidays they stay at the manor, it's entertaining." He explained.
"I bet" Al muttered.
Al managed to stop panicking by telling himself that Christmas was ages away and he had plenty of time to prepare.
Before Christmas they had Halloween and Rose, Bryony and Jasmine had organised a Halloween themed scavenger hunt, for the sixth and seventh years.
"Know what your costume for the scavenger hunt will be?" Al asked.
"Nope, why do we need to dress up to do the hunt?" he couldn't really see the benefit.
Al shook his head, "For fun. Malfoy's are allowed to have fun right?" he playfully teased.
"No fun is forbidden. As well as laughter, signs of affection, and being gay obviously." He coolly replied.
Al blinked, "You know Rose is right. Sometimes it is really hard…"
Scorpius snickered.
Al carried on, ignoring the snicker, "…to tell when you are joking."
"I like to keep you guessing." He laughed then.
"Tosser you were joking."
"Obviously seeing as I'm gay, laugh at least ten times a day and I'd like to think we have fun. Although grandfather may have forgotten what having fun is like." He reminded Al of the dreaded meeting with the evil grandfather – even if he was exaggerating it was entertaining to watch Al's reactions.
"Let's not talk about your family – I want to enjoy my remaining fun filled days until I meet them." He mocked.
"Touché" Scorpius didn't know who had it worse. Him for the meeting with a hoard of Weasley/Potters, or Al meeting the Malfoy's.
Rose being Rose had asked the headmistress for permission for the hunt. She had granted permission, giving them an extended curfew. But only to 10:30pm.
Rose explained one night, that she will assign teams and on the night the teams would have to figure out clues/riddles than go collect the prop that related to the riddle. Rose had made unique props so they couldn't be copied/transfigured, to stop cheating. She also said she will cast various charms, spells to check for cheating. She would be the judicator as she knew where the props were hidden and the answers to the riddles.
Scorpius was looking forward to it, to bond with his fellow students, to compete and most of all to see Al in fancy dress and sharing a memorable night with him. In the last few weeks Al had started flirting back, sending Scorpius cheeky smiles and encouraging gestures.
Last week Paige had taunted Scorpius for his sexuality and accused him of stealing Al. Apparently she knew he was gay all along and his plan was to have Al to himself. He just laughed at her and said Al was his own person and if Al starts to like him, then that's Al's own choice.
Scorpius had to talk Al out of dressing up as 'Harry Potter' for Halloween.
"That's just lazy Al. You look just like your dad. Put on a Gryffindor tie and draw a scar on your head and that's it." He complained.
"Fine, I won't dress up as dad. Spoilsport. What are you dressing up as?" Al huffed as he shifted so his leg was next to Scorpius' on the sofa. Touching.
"That would be telling. However I always thought costumes were meant to be scary, but apparently not. They can be funny, sexy or even normal fancy dress like a muggle policeman." He met Al's gaze and smiled.
I wonder if he's picturing me in a muggle policeman outfit. I hope so.
Al blushed and looked away, confirming he was at least thinking of Scorpius dressed up.
"Maybe you can borrow one of your granddads cloaks and robes – he dresses like a traditional vampire." Rose suggested.
Scorpius smirked, "or I can borrow your clothes and go as a clown" he retorted.
Al laughed and sent Scorpius a flirtatious smile.
Rose could see the inevitable happening soon. She was surprised no one else had commented on Al and Scorpius' blatant flirting and touchy feely ways.
Unless they all just expected it anyway. She reasoned, she had always thought Al preferred men.
She and Scott were getting on really well and she was surprised that her being a bookworm and him being a quidditch player, hadn't caused any issues. In fact she felt awful for buying into stereotypes, as Scott was very smart and even managed to keep up with her frantic speeches on random subjects. Often debating with her for fun – he said he liked seeing her get all fired up about the topic. He often disagreed on purpose.
"What are you and Scott wearing?" Al asked. Finally turning away from staring at Scorpius.
"Gangster and Flapper" she informed him.
"What? Your dad will let you go as a slapper?" Al was shocked.
Scorpius smiled and Rose tutted, "I said Flapper not Slapper. Blimey Al pay attention, I know you struggle when Scorpius is in the room, but at least try." She scolded.
Al blushed but didn't deny Rose's claim, which he would have done a few weeks ago.
Al felt Scorpius' fingers brush over his lower back for the briefest of moments. If I am reading him correctly, he's trying to reassure me he likes me too.
"What's a flapper?" he managed to say after he recovered from Scorpius' touch.
"A flapper was a name for a fashionable young woman in the 1920s. Scott will be a traditional gangster from 1920s and I will be a flapper. Trust me the costumes are great." She reassured him.
"If you say so." He wasn't convinced.