Good things come to those who wait :) Enjoy

It was Friday afternoon when Scorpius Malfoy walked into his dorm and saw Sullivan sitting with someone on his bed. Just the fact that Sullivan was with someone in the room was shocking. Sullivan had hardly any friends outside of their Slytherin group. Beyond that, he rarely paid any attention to girls, so the fact that he brought one over was even more interesting.

At first Scorpius considered walking back out and leaving, letting his friend have some alone time with his guest, but then Scorpius took a closer look and saw that the guest was not a girl. Even worse, it was Albus Potter. The moment he recognized Albus Scorpius felt a glare slowly begin to grow on his face. Then when Albus turned and saw him, it grew even worse. Albus smiled and gave a little wave, starting to blush. This made Scorpius feel like he was blushing, even though that was impossible, because Malfoys did not blush. So instead he glared more. Albus' eyes grew wide at the blonde's unexpected response.

"Uh, I think I'm going to go." Albus said after a moment of awkward silence. He grabbed his bag, waved goodbye to Sullivan and walked past Scorpius. Neither of them said a word, and the room continued to be silent until the door closed behind the Gryffindor.

"What the fuck was that?" Scorpius demanded once he and Sullivan were alone.

Sullivan turned away and gave Scorpius no response. Scorpius reached out and grabbed his friend.

"Sullivan! What the hell?"

"It's really none of your business." Was Sullivan's stony response.

The forcefulness of Sullivan's tone caused Scorpius to pause, forgetting his anger for a moment.

"What? Are you mad at me now? What did I do?" Scorpius demanded.

Sullivan considered the blond for another moment, and then shook his head, this time his expression was softer, almost pitying.

"Never mind mate." Sullivan sighed, "I gotta go." And with those finals words Scorpius was left alone in the dorm.

Scorpius threw his bag down on the floor and fell onto his bed. The encounter moments before had been the worst ending to the worst week. Everyday, everywhere he turned he felt like all he saw was Albus, Albus, Albus. Obviously seeing the boy was to be expected, they went to the same school after all, lived in the same castle, ate meals three times a day in the same hall.

No, it wasn't just that he saw the Gryffindor, it was that he always saw Albus with his friends. Walking around smiling like he didn't have a care in the world. Whispering like they were sharing some sort of secret. Who did Albus Potter think he was? Did he think he was better than Scorpius somehow? Scorpius groaned in frustration, when he realized that his mind was racing with jealous thoughts about the Gryffindor. Sure, maybe Albus was stepping too quickly into his territory, but the real question was why did it make Scorpius so angry.

On Monday it had been Tess. Scorpius had seen her and Albus walking down the hallways. He hadn't assumed anything strange, until he approached the two. As soon as Tess saw him she immediately stopped what she was saying. Even worse when Scorpius asked what they were doing they both in unison responded "Nothing!" Moments later Albus made some excuse to escape and Tess pretended that nothing had happened.

On Tuesday it was Jaysen. Scorpius had been in the library, a very rare occasion for him but he was supposed to meet a girl, Claire Lindsey, there for a hookup. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Jaysen sitting in the back tables with, again, Albus Potter. If there was an award for least amount of time spent in the library it would have gone to Jaysen, no competition. However, when Scorpius approached his friend the exact same thing happened as with Tess. Albus and Jaysen grew quiet and when Scorpius asked what they were doing Jaysen forced a small laugh and responded, "Oh, nothing much… just… reading…"

"Reading?" Scorpius didn't believe it for a second, if only because there hadn't been any books in front of them. Jaysen had spluttered around some more before excusing himself to go to class, again highly improbable. Moments later Albus also excused himself and Scorpius was left, alone and extremely suspicious.

Wednesday, Scorpius went down to the Great Hall, looking for Andrew; and he found him sitting at the Gryffindor table having a seemingly serious conversation with Albus. It wasn't mealtime, so the tables weren't packed, but the two boys were still getting some curious looks from nearby students. Scorpius sneaked up behind the two, determined to hear what the two were talking about.

"-you just have to take the risk." Scorpius heard Albus say.

"Well, yeah but we're great friends. I don't want to ruin that." Andrew replied slowly.

"Are you telling me you want to be friends for the rest of your life?" Albus asked.

"Well…no." Was Andrew's response.

Scorpius couldn't believe what he was hearing. Andrew was going to Albus for advice? Andrew was his best friend! Why would he choose to talk to Albus? Unless… Scorpius' mind played back through the conversation he heard. Had they been talking about him?

Just then Andrew turned around and noticed Scorpius.

"Scorpius!" He exclaimed, almost looking afraid, "How long have you been standing there?"

"I just walked up." Scorpius lied, "I was looking for you, so we can go to Transfiguration together." Scorpius was careful not to make eye contact with Albus.

"Oh, yeah sure." Andrew said hurriedly, getting up and grabbing his books. "Lost track of time." He grinned and slapped his friend on the back. "Let's go."

Scorpius nodded and walked away, without looking back at the Gryffindor they were leaving behind.

"Later Albus." Andrew called.

On Thursday, nothing happened. Albus Potter seemed to disappear off of the face of the planet. Scorpius didn't see him at meals or in the halls, or in the library (he looked). Even more, all his friends seemed back to normal, they weren't avoiding him or acting strange. Scorpius took this as a sign that he had been overreacting. Clearly there wasn't some secret plot being formed against him. This good mood continued on into Friday, when the youngest Potter stayed scarce. That was of course until Scorpius went back to his dorm after classes.

Scorpius was brought back to the present by the sound of someone entering the room. Lifting his head off his bed, Scorpius identified the individual as Stephanie, grunted a hello, and then let his head drop again.

"Well hi to you too." Stephanie said, sitting down next to her friend and pulling little strings off of his robes. Scorpius just lay there saying nothing.

"Sullivan found me in the common room, said I should come and check on you. Everything ok?"

Scorpius grunted again, and rolled on to his side, away from Stephanie.

"What's the matter?" she asked, not sounding exactly concerned, just interested.

"Everyone likes Albus better than they like me." Scorpius finally said. Immediately after, he regretted it. There was nothing about what he just said that didn't sound like a whiney child.

Stephanie laughed and ruffled her friend's hair. "I should have guessed." She laughed again, "Scorpius, did you know that you are the most self-obsessed person I have ever met?" He sat up and glared at her.

"Oh calm down," she said still chuckling, "I still love you more than anyone, but you can be a right prat when you want to."

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Was the boy's angry response.

"Scorpius!" Stephanie sounded exasperated, "Who was the one who told us to all be friend's with Albus, who is the one who keeps inviting him places? It's you! We started this whole thing for you! Now, just because Albus is getting along with everyone doesn't mean he's going to take your place."

Scorpius sighed, feeling silly. Steph was the only person on the planet who could make Scorpius see reason when he got like this. He hated her for it and loved her for it at the same time.

"Come on, ya big baby, were going down to dinner." Steph grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet, not an easy task.

Scorpius followed and the two left hand in hand.

Dinner proved to be uneventful. Sullivan said nothing about the encounter earlier that afternoon, and everyone seemed too interested in the fact that the house elves had made garlic mashed potatoes againto talk about much else.

Later that night Scorpius lay in his bed staring at the curtains around his four-poster bed. It wasn't that he was staying awake for a particular reason, but his body just wasn't tired. Andrew had forgotten to cast a silencing charm around his bed again, and so his monstrous snores echoed throughout the room. Scorpius' stomach gently rumbled reminding him that he hadn't eaten much for dinner. All of these things combined caused Scorpius to be wide awake at merlin knows what hour of the night, and therefore caused him to hear when Jaysen tried to quietly get up and slip out of the room. Scorpius moved his curtains aside just in time to see Jaysen close the door gently behind him.

This kind of late-night escapade wasn't exactly unusual for the less than wholesome boy. However, what was strange was the secrecy. Normally if Jaysen had a hook up planned he would brag about it all day, but Scorpius hadn't heard a single word. The blond lay in bed for a few more moments before deciding to follow his friend, reasoning that he couldn't fall asleep anyways, so why not. Pulling his shoes and pants on as quickly as he could, Scorpius grabbed a sweater and his wand before going out into the night.

Thirty minutes later Scorpius realized a fatal flaw to his plan, he had no idea where Jaysen had been going. As soon as he exited the Slytherin common room his friend had been nowhere in sight. He had spent the last half hour searching the usual haunts, abandoned classrooms, old broom closets even dark shadowy corners, but to no avail.

Now, on the fourth floor of the east wing of the castle, very far from his nice warm bed Scorpius suddenly felt exhausted and much less interested in finding out whatever Jaysen was doing. He had just decided to head back when he turned a corner and saw a door ajar in front of him. Recognizing it as the door that held the staircase to the astronomy tower Scorpius frowned for a moment thinking; all those stairs, possibly for nothing. But in the end his curiosity won out.

Slowly climbing the stairs and yawning along the way, his ears perked when he heard voices coming from above. Suddenly alert, Scorpius climbed the remaining stairs with ease and poked his head carefully out of the trapdoor. Two dark figures were just barely visible lying close together on the stone floor of the tower. They were gazing up to the stars and talking quietly.

From his distance Scorpius couldn't make out who they were. He moved as quietly as he could but the wooden door creaked as he tried to step out. The two figures quickly sat up and turned towards the door. Scorpius stood and tried to make out their faces.

"Scorpius?" a familiar voice called out. Scorpius couldn't believe his ears; that voice belonged to Albus Potter.

"Shit." He heard the other say.

"Lumos." A light burst from Scorpius' wand and basked the three boys in a soft glow. Now Scorpius could clearly see the horrified looks on both Jaysen and Albus' faces.

"Why-" Jaysen started, but his voice failed him and he looked like he was going to be sick.

"What the fuck are you two doing?" Scorpius yelled, though it had been quite clear what they were doing. Albus looked at Jaysen and Jaysen looked at Scorpius. For a moment they were all silent, and then Jaysen shook his head and walked towards the door.

"Where the hell are you going?" Scorpius asked. Jaysen didn't respond, he simply climbed down the stairs and disappeared.

This simply left Scorpius and Albus alone, with a very, very awkward silence.

Finally Albus spoke. "Scorpius-" was all he got out before Scorpius turned and glared at the Gryffindor, making him fall silent.

"This is all your fault you know." Scorpius whispered angrily.

"What is my fault?" Albus demanded, "You don't even know what you are talking about."

"I know that you are trying to steal my friends. Tess and Andrew and Sullivan and apparently your trying to get in with Jaysen too. Never knew you were such a whore Potter. Guess it just goes to show you, it's true what they say about the quiet ones."

Albus was staring at the ground his hands balled into fists, shaking slightly. Scorpius was so angry and he didn't even know why, he turned to go back down the door that Jaysen had left open, when Albus' voice stopped him.

"Astronomy."

Scorpius turned around, "What?"

"I was helping Jaysen with astronomy tonight, and the other day in the library, tutoring him. He can't fail again, he was desperate and asked me to help."

Albus looked up and met Scorpius' eyes. His were red, and holding back tears, but there was also anger in his expression.

"Tess was asking me about Andrew, she has a crush on him and wanted to know if I thought he liked her. Andrew was talking to me about Tess, asking me how he can show her he likes her without ruining their friendship. Sullivan just wanted to know how I was able to break the hedge barrier around your forbidden forest hide out."

Scorpius let all these words sink in; he couldn't find anything to say in return.

"I'm not trying to steal your friends Scorpius. I wanted to get closer to them because I wanted to get closer to you because you kissed me and I thought it was really amazing." Now tears were falling from Albus' eyes and Scorpius felt a familiar pang of guilt in his stomach.

"And hearing YOU call ME a whore is really, really entertaining Scorpius because I was the one who had to hear about you sleeping with some Slytherin the same night that you kissed me, and then I had to pretend like I didn't care. I tried to get over it, and I tried to be nice to you but suddenly this week you started treating me like shit, ignoring me and glaring at me when I'm around. Merlin, I knew when I started this that you were going to mess with my feelings; I knew that this was some sort of game for you but I don't know why you have to be so cruel."

Albus took a deep breath and wiped the tears that had fallen from his face away with his sleeve.

"Fuck…" Scorpius said a few moments later. Albus glared at him, silently demanding that he say more.

"I don't suppose that an apology will suffice this time." Scorpius sighed.

"It's a start." Albus replied quietly.

Scorpius took a few steps towards the Gryffindor. "I honestly don't know why seeing you with my friends made me so angry Albus. And I'm really sorry that I took it out on you, I'm being an idiot."

Albus nodded, and moved to sit back down on the stone floor. Carefully Scorpius moved to sit next to him. The two boys sat in silence for a minute or two.

"I wasn't supposed to tell you about tutoring Jaysen, he was really adamant that no one knew." Albus sighed, "Actually I wasn't supposed to tell you about Andrew or Tess either. Looks like I'm a pretty shitty secret keeper."

Scorpius shook his head, "Don't worry about that, I'll just tell them that I made you tell me."

"Made me?" Albus asked.

"I can be very persuasive." Scorpius said, with a grin.

Albus sighed, but cracked a small smile, and the two fell into silence again.

"Albus," Scorpius said, after what felt like hours.

"Yeah?" Albus responded.

"I think the reason I got so angry this week was just by how well you got along with everyone. Wendy loves you and so does Sully. Now Jaysen, Andrew and Tess are all coming to you for advice."

"Scorpius, they are still your friends, it's not like they are choosing me over you." Albus tried to reason.

"Its not about them Albus, it's about you. They all can talk to you so easily." Scorpius gulped, scared about what he would say next. "I can flirt with you all I want, but when it comes to talking like this, I have no idea what to say. Why can't I just do what they do? I'm afraid you're going to start liking them more than you like me." As soon as he said it Scorpius realized it was the truth, it may be immature and jealous, but it was true.

To his surprise Albus blushed. "That's doubtful."

"Oh yeah, and why is that?" Scorpius countered.

"Because," Albus said blushing even harder, " I don't like any of them the way I like you." Then Albus turned and looked him directly in the eyes. Scorpius felt his heart speed up and his face get hot. For a second he thought he might be blushing, but of course that was impossible, because Malfoy's didn't blush.

Albus leaned in a tiny bit and bit his lip nervously. That was the only invitation Scorpius needed. He leaned in towards the Gryffindor and pressed their lips together. This time however, he didn't pull away after a moment, he leaned farther and farther deepening the kiss. Despite Albus' earlier anger his response to the kiss was instantaneous. He leaned into Scorpius and kissed him back without hesitation. Scorpius pushed his tongue forward into Albus' mouth and reveled the feeling that it gave. Exploring Albus' mouth Scorpius couldn't help but smile when he tasted what only could have been garlic mashed potatoes, and he loved it.

Scorpius shifted his body so he was looming over the other boy, and they quickly sunk until Albus was lying on the ground with Scorpius on top of him. The blond moved his hands to run up and down Albus' body, loving the involuntary shivers that his touches caused. Albus lifted his arms and wrapped them around Scorpius' neck, letting one of his hands wind its way through the blond hair.

Scorpius pressed himself up against the boy under him, and was rewarded with a throaty groan from the Gryffindor. Albus' hands moved, and pushed Scorpius away for a moment. He was panting, his face was flushed and his lips were bright red. His expression was one of total shock, like he couldn't believe what was happening.

"You good?" Scorpius asked a moment later. Albus turned back and nodded, pulling the Slytherin close once again. Their lips met again, even more fiercely than before. Scorpius ran one hand down Albus' thigh, causing another shudder, and then brought it around and grabbed the boy's ass. The other hand was busy working its way under Albus' shirt, inching up the back rubbing against the soft bare skin. Albus was reacting better than Scorpius could have dreamed. His arms were firmly around the blonde's neck, he was pushing his body upwards in an attempt to bring it closer to Scorpius' and they were both loving the sensation that being so close was causing. Eventually Albus pushed away again, panting hard.

"You're good at this." Scorpius mumbled, running his lips down Albus' jaw.

Albus managed to sputter out a "thanks" before Scorpius attached his lips to the side of the boy's neck. Albus moaned involuntarily and tilted his head back allowing Scorpius better access to the tender skin. Scorpius bit and sucked, encouraged by Albus' hums of approval. After a few minutes he leaned back and admired the large red mark on the Gryffindor's neck.

Albus lifted his arm and ran his fingers through Scorpius' hair again, smiling sweetly. Scorpius felt like he was entranced by the green eyes below him, half lidded and so clearly begging for it. He wanted to do so much more, go so much farther. But no, he couldn't. Sighing, Scorpius pulled himself off of the Gryffindor and sat next to him. Albus propped himself up on his elbows and leaned over resting his head on the Slytherin.

"Scorpius." Albus said quietly.

Scorpius dreaded what was coming next, fearing that Albus was going to start asking questions that he didn't know the answer to. "Yeah?"

"I'm sleepy." Was the response.

Scorpius felt himself smile, he leaned over, and cupped Albus' face in his hand, giving him one last kiss, gentle and sweet. It was a sort of thank you, for not asking questions or making things complicated, or god forbid saying the L word.

"Alright, let's get out of here."

The two boys got up and walked down the stairs leaning on one another.

When Scorpius finally made it back to his dorm room he found Jaysen fast asleep. Climbing back into his own bed he felt himself quickly drifting to sleep, exhausted from his night and when sleep finally came, he dreamed of green eyes and garlic.