AN: hey guys! sorry I've been missing but my computer quit on me yet again. here's the next chapter!

Scorpius

They all sat in the common room. He knew they didn't want to leave him alone; he didn't know what they were scared off it wasn't as if he was going to punch anybody else. He leaned his head on his hand and looked at the fire burning in front of him. After he had made a complete fool of himself even the entire quidditch team felt so sorry for him they didn't even look menacing. James fucking Potter looked at him like he felt sorry for him and that really had been rock bottom. He let Stephanie and Tristian walk him back to the common room and was slightly surprised Sam and Tessa joined them with no questions asked. They had been sitting there in silence since and it was almost five in the morning.

"You don't have to stay here" he said quietly looking at Tristian dozing off. He shook his head and forced himself to open his eyes.

"It's okay mate" he said and yawned.

"I'm serious, you can go to bed. I'm not going to do anything stupid any time soon" Scorpius said with a bitter laugh and after considering it for a second he got up and left saying good night and patting Scorpius in the shoulder. "You can all go" he said to the three of them.

"I'm not leaving until you talk" Stephanie said and Sam and Tessa nodded.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked and he started feeling miserable again.

"What you said to him" Tessa said and he looked at her shocked face and shrugged.

"So? You were right, good for you" Scorpius said closing his eyes.

"You begged him in front of every one, begged" Sam said and he opened his eyes to look at her.

"You don't have to remind me. I was there" he said closing them back again.

"Scorpius" Stephanie began.

"Yes! I want him okay? I like Albus, I fancy him. I fucking need him" Scorpius said looking at all of them, he closed his eyes and rubbed his hand over them, "I've never needed anybody in my life so fucking much" he said and he heard his voice crack. He felt Stephanie rubbing her hand over his shoulder trying to comfort him.

"What did he say?" Tessa asked him.

"He told me I was my fault he was kissing Blake" he said quietly, "He said it was my fault he wasn't mine" Scorpius said and he opened his eyes again blinking the burn away. "And he's right" he said with a bitter laugh, "I fucked it up and I can't make it right. I don't know what to do anymore" he said and leaned back on the couch sinking into it.

"He told you what you had to do Score" Stephanie said and he didn't turn to her. "Are you willing to now?" she asked and he didn't say anything.

"What?" Sam asked, "Albus says the exact thing, he says Scorpius knows" she said annoyed.

"He asked me to be his boyfriend" Scorpius said quietly looking at her and Sam frowned at him.

"And what's so hard about that? You practically were already before you fucked it up" she said looking at him like he was retarded.

"I told him that, it didn't work" he said and they all looked at him puzzled.

"You told Albus you would be his boyfriend?" Stephanie asked.

"I told him I'd do whatever he wanted" Scorpius said and they all echoed an ominous oh. "What?" he asked them.

"Do you think he got that? Or that he felt like you wanted too?" Tessa asked him and Scorpius looked up at her confused.

"Yes" he said and they shook their heads at him.

"No Score, you have to tell him how you feel, what you want" Stephanie explained.

"I did that, I fucking begged" he said not getting it.

"Not after you punch his fucking friend" Sam said getting up from the floor.

"Friend?" Scorpius asked frowning.

"Albus isn't going out with Blake, they just fool around" she said and she leaned down to give him a kiss on his head and leaving the room.

"Is that true?" he asked Tessa and she nodded.

"He told him he didn't want anything serious and Blake said it was fine. They mostly just hang out" she said leaning her head back on the couch.

"Why are you telling me this? I thought you were team Albus" he said to her and Tessa shrugged.

"We are, that's why" she said and looked at him and smiled. She pushed off from the couch and patted his shoulder. "Talk to him. Calmly" she said and left too. Scorpius looked at Stephanie.

"Are you going to leave me too?" he asked and she shook her head. She moved closer to him and snuggled getting comfortable. He closed his eyes too.

"You're in love with him" she said quietly, "That's why you feel like shit" she explained and Scorpius had nothing to say to that. What if she was right?

Scorpius had no idea how to talk to him. He was so ashamed after his display it took him the whole weekend to leave his room. He had four days before winter break and after that he wouldn't see Albus again until next year and he would probably be over him by then, while Scorpius continued to pine like a school girl. The first time he saw him was at breakfast Monday morning but he was sitting with James and Lily at the Gryffindor table. He didn't look his way once and they walked out together too. He saw him at potions too, but he didn't dare sit on the front so he just stayed at the back ignoring the pity looks Stephanie and Sam were sending his way. Then he saw him at dinner and this time it was even worse because he was sitting on his table with Blake and James laughing like nothing was wrong. When they left Blake had his arm around his waist and Albus had his over his shoulders. Whatever the girls said they looked way chummier that they ever had. Scorpius supposed that had been his fault too.

Next day had been the same at meal times and then he didn't see him at all. Scorpius walked around the castle just in case he ran into him but no such luck. He even tried the astronomy tower but he only found Tristian screwing some girl. He knew he wasn't trying very hard but there was no fucking way he was going to go up to his common room only to run into Blake there. The next day was the same only this time it was filled with a sense of panic because the next day they would be getting into that train back home and he would lose his chance. He walked around again at night and found him the courtyard with his brother and his mates; Blake was there. Of course he was. Scorpius stood there but he just couldn't do it. His eyes met those amazing green ones after so long and it felt like a chill going all the way down his spine but he looked away and kept on walking. Albus didn't follow him, obviously.

Thursday was pathetic really, he spent the morning packing his things in his trunk and feeling miserable. He knew it was pathetic because all of his mates were in there with him keeping him company and when they were finally aboard the train he couldn't take it anymore.

"Would you all please stop looking at me like that" he said and they all looked away from him. The only good thing about this going away thing was a break from all that.

"Are you okay?" Stephanie asked. He rolled his eyes.

"I swear to Merlin if some askes me if I'm okay again I'm going to punch them" he said and silence followed.

"So is that a yes?" Stephanie asked after a while and then laughed at the angry face he made at her. There was soft knock on the compartment and they all looked towards it. Tessa got up and unlocked it pushing it open. It was James Potter.

"What do you want?" Tessa asked him, disgust clear in her voice.

"Hi Tessa, I just wanted a quick word with Malfoy. If you don't mind" he said looking down at him and Scorpius looked at him puzzled.

"What ever for?" he wanted to know.

"Could you just not be" he said and signaled to all of him, "And come out one second?" he asked annoyed and Scorpius rolled his eyes and followed him. James walked a little farther away and pushed open the door to another compartment that had only one occupant, Lily Potter.

"What the?" he said looking at them, "I thought the benefit of not being with Albus is that these Potter interventions would stop" he said. Lily looked at him and then showed him the bench so he would sit. He crossed his arms and complied. James closed the door and sat next to Lily. They all started at each other for a minute. "Was there point to this?" he asked and Lily elbowed James.

"Al right" he said to her and looked back at him, "I'm sorry I was a dick to you" he said and Scorpius blinked in shock.

"I beg your pardon?" he asked and James rolled his eyes at him.

"I'm sorry about all the things I said about Albus and you. I was wrong" he said and Scorpius couldn't quite process it.

"You were wrong?" he asked again.

"I thought you didn't give a shit about him. So, I'm sorry" he said irritated.

"Come again?" Scorpius asked amused and James took a deep breath.

"Merlin's fuck, how many times are you going to make me say it?" he asked him and Scorpius smiled.

"I don't know, shall we keep trying until I'm satisfied?" he asked with a laugh and Lily tried not give in to one.

"We're not traveling this year on the holidays. Are you?" Lily asked him and Scorpius shook his head at her.

"No, I'm staying at the manor I think" he said and James scoffed.

"Staying at the manor? Just say you're staying home" he said Lily shoved him.

"Behave" she warned and James scoffed again.

"Okay then" she said and Scorpius looked at them.

"Am I dismissed?" he asked and James nodded. Scorpius got up from his seat and so did the two of them.

"Have a good holiday" Lily said and Scorpius nodded and walked out of the compartment. What the fuck had just happened he walked back to his and told them what had happened after they badgered him with questions. They all looked back at him as confused as he felt.

"Do you think Albus asked them to ask you that?" Tristian said and they all shook their heads.

"He wouldn't send his brother" Sam said and they all nodded. That was very odd indeed. They all sat there after that talking about what to do over the break but Scorpius knew he had ran out of chances and it was just weighing on him. He got up from his seat and walked along the corridor checking for Albus. He spotted him sitting with Blake and his mates. Albus was looking out the window and Blake was talking with his friend. They weren't even talking. He stood there for a while just looking at him until the compartment door swung open and he looked horrified at Blake that had pushed out. He closed the door behind him and looked at Scorpius.

"I'd say it's more effective to talk to him rather than trying to telepathically communicate though staring" he said and Scorpius scowled at him and then thought about it better.

"I'm sorry for hitting you" he said reluctantly and Blake nodded.

"It's not your fault you're a dick. Oh no wait, it is" he said and shrugged walking away from him. He let out a laugh and looked back at the compartment and his eyes met Albus'. They just kind of looked at each other for a second and then Scorpius turned back for his compartment. He hear a door open behind him and then miraculously Albus' voice.

"Scorpius" was all he said but he looked back feeling like he could breathe again.

"Hey" he said and walked closer to him, Albus stepped back. He looked away from him and didn't look like he knew why he had called him in the first place.

"Have a good Holiday" he said lamely and Scorpius nodded.

"You too" he said back and Albus nodded, his eyes flicking up to him and then away again. Was this really all he was going to say after a week of looking for him? "I sorry about the party. I kind of lost it" he let out and Albus looked up at him. "I'll miss you" he said and he looked torn again, "I already do" he let out quietly. Albus looked at him like he maybe didn't hate him so much anymore and he was overcome with the impulse to kiss him again or beg him too, but Blake came back and ruined the moment.

"Heading for the bathroom?" he asked and then spotted Scorpius, "Oh" he said quietly and walked into the compartment without a word. That was very odd.

"See you around" Albus said and Scorpius opened his mouth to say something but he walked in and pushed to door closed after him. He was an idiot. He walked back to the compartment and sat the rest of the way looking miserably out the window. It was snowing when they got to London and he had to stand away and endure his friend hugging Albus goodbye while he watched from a distance. All he got was a nod. Blake on the other hand got a very long hug; a hug his parents witnessed. Thank Merlin he didn't kiss him though. He just messed his hair playfully and said something that made him smile and walked away. He saw Albus hug his parents and walk away with them too.

"Have a good semester?" he heard his dad ask and he looked at him with a forced smile. He tried to nod but it turned into a shake half way through.

"No, it sucked" he said and his dad laughed and wrapped an arm around his shoulder and walked him out towards the apparition spot.

"You'll tell me all about it over tea" Draco said and Scorpius shook his head.

"I'll tell you over firewhisky you mean" Scorpius corrected and his Dad looked like he understood.

"Heart problems it is then" he said and Scorpius nodded.

"Heart problems indeed" he said feeling like the holidays might make it a bit better after all.

Albus

He looked through the window in the kitchen watching the snow fall slowly. He felt the pleasant chill of cold run through his body but at same time it smelled warm. He loved the smell of his home, it was cluttered and cozy and perfect. He had to share a bathroom with James, but it was only for a couple of weeks. They had been back for four days now and it would Christmas tomorrow. Tessa and Sam had both written to him already and fire called twice asking him to meet up with him them Christmas day, but he told him his family was impossible. He agreed to meet with them on the first though; he even agreed to stay over. He was looking forward to it actually, that way he could stomach new years with Rose and all her boring stories about her friends.

"You are a freak of nature" he heard and turned to smile at his dad. He walked in covered from head to toe rubbing his arms. Albus stood bare foot at the kitchen counter with only his pants on.

"That I am" he said with a nod and moved to sit on the table and leaned his chin on it. He heard his dad walk around the kitchen moving things around and soon he had a cup of tea in front of him. "Thanks dad" he said softly.

"You've been awfully quite these days" he said sitting across from him. Albus looked at his cup not rising from the table and spun it around gently.

"I've been quiet my whole life" he said absently.

"I take it you're not seeing Scorpius anymore?" he asked blatantly, probably aware he wasn't going to get anywhere if he didn't. Albus shook his head.

"I'm an idiot. I think" Albus said and knew his dad was puzzled by that, "I'm not sure anymore" he said admitting it himself.

"Why is that?" he asked. Albus raised his head and looked at him.

"Aren't you mad at me? I did what you asked me not too, and lost control. Hurt someone, told them about it" he said and Harry shook his head.

"You're in love" he said with a shrug. Albus grimaced and leaned back down.

"Some good that did" he said looking at his cup miserably.

"You have more friends now" he said and Albus nodded with a smile. That was true. "You seem more confident even. I like that" he said and Albus looked up at him. He did look happy.

"Oddly enough yeah" he said and leaned back on the chair. "I just don't know what to do" he said and his dad nodded for him to go on. "I thought he didn't want a relationship with me, he told me so himself. And all I did and said was based on that, but he's done somethings that make me doubt it" he said looking away from him.

"Like?" he asked and Albus shook his head.

"He's so proud but he begged me in front of everyone he know to do whatever I wanted to get me back. That and he spent last week looking at me all the time but not saying anything. I couldn't take it on the train and I walked out to talk to him. I expected him to say something but he just stood there, looking at me" he said and looked back at his dad, "Then he said that he'd miss me; that he already did" he said quietly and then shook his head. "I can't tell what's real and what is just him trying to manipulate me anymore" he said feeling the hurt all over again.

"What made you think he was manipulating you in the first place?" he asked him.

"He's a Slytherin" he said simply and his dad let out laugh.

"Fair point, but from what you just said it looks like he feels the same way. So maybe all those times you though he was manipulating you it was really him" he said and Albus shook his head.

"Why would he throw me away then? Hurt me?" Albus asked him.

"People do all kind of stupid things when they're in love Al" he said with a soft smile in his face. Albus looked away from him again.

"If he just told me so himself" he said shaking his head.

"Then give him the chance. Don't pressure him, don't be mad. Just listen and maybe you might get what you want" he said and blew on his cup. Albus took his and did the same. Maybe.

He arrived at Sam's house and he had to remind himself he was the son of the savior of the wizarding world so he wouldn't feel so inadequate. It was a penthouse in Kensington Palace Gardens and it was amazing. He was surprised it was in a muggle neighborhood though. He walked in and felt even more at awe with the place. He expected it to be elegant and pretentious only to find it to be anything but. There were paintings all over and it wasn't exactly organized. He heard a squeal and knew Sam was in the room. He looked at her and her eyes almost popped out of her face.

"Fucking hell Albus, what did you do?" she asked with a smile and he touch his hair self-consciously. He had cut it way shorter this time practically buzzing the sides and the back, leaving just the top longer.

"Do you like it?" he asked smiling and she nodded.

"People are going to stop us in the streets to take pictures with you" she said with a huge grin.

"That already happens actually, but that's dad" he started and Sam screamed at the girls to come and see. Tessa and Stephanie walked out both looking at him with the same approval.

"Merlin, you look amazing Albus" Stephanie said and Tessa nodded touching his head.

"It feel so good" she said and Albus smiled.

"Hey, Sam can I tell Blake to meet us there tonight?" he asked and she looked a little taken aback but then she nodded.

"Sure Al, you can tell him to meet us here if you want" she said and the other two girls made a face.

"What, I thought you liked him" he said with a laugh. Tessa shrugged.

"I know you're friends and what not, but if he sees you like this he's not going to want to keep his hands from you" she said and Albus smiled and shrugged back.

"Scorpius is going to come" Sam said and Albus' smile disappeared. This wasn't a bad thing and he knew in all honesty it might happen anyway. He had to talk to him, he knew that. He had been replaying his conversation with his dad all week and he just knew he was right. He couldn't keep wondering forever.

"That's okay, I have to talk to him anyway" he said with a shrug and was taken aback by the looks of complete happiness that they all threw at him. He laughed at that.

"You're going to talk to him?" Stephanie asked walking over to him with a soft expression he never thought he would get from her. He nodded.

"I've been a bit defensive" he said and they all nodded and he laughed again, "I had a perfectly valid reason" he defended and Sam shrugged and pulled on his arm.

"Whatever, lest go to my room and get ready. You brought party clothes right?" she asked and he pointed at his bag and she nodded with a smile. "Then take your clothes off because I have your favorite" she said and turned to look at him. "Tequila!" she said and he groaned. Not that blasted thing again.

AN: sorry it was a little short but guess what? I'm posting the very last chapter right now! so go on and read that and I'll post the epilogue tomorrow.