~What Am I Feeling?~

~Chapter 10- Meetings And Greetings~

Scorpius recognised immediately that he wasn't in his own bed as he fell out of sleep, becoming aware of the covers he was curled up between and the unfamiliar pyjamas he was so comfortable in. As he slowly opened his eyes, letting them flutter slightly he realised he was in a bed, in the Hospital Wing and the previous night's events filled his mind again.

He thought of Chris who had been so kind and caring towards him the night before. He liked Chris, he was indeed very nice and he had a feeling he would be seeing more of Chris, and that didn't bother him at this moment in time.

Then he thought of Albus, his friend Albus… who he cherished so close to his heart, he was so confused in which way he cherished him. Albus who had always cared for him so greatly, yet he wasn't the one by his bedside in his hour of need.

Scorpius stretched his foot, feeling no pain from his ankle anymore. He wondered if James had heard he was in the Hospital Wing and wondered whether he felt any type of guilt at all. Knowing James, he was probably more satisfied than anything.

Madam Pomfrey suddenly burst into the room with a flurry, heading straight towards Scorpius' bed, "Ah Mr Malfoy, you're awake! I was about to wake you myself! Your foot's better I presume?"

"Yes, thank you, Madam Pomfrey for helping." Scorpius said with a weak smile as he sat up in his bed.

"It's only my job boy!"

From another bed, she picked up a neatly folded school uniform and Scorpius instantly recognised his own bag in her hands.

"My Daley went to pick these up for you last night. A room mate gave him your books and clothes." Madam Pomfrey informed him.

Chris actually did that? He went to the trouble of getting into the Ravenclaw dorms to get his things for today? He was a prefect Scorpius supposed, so technically he was allowed in there but still! He must really care to have gone to that trouble just for a boy he met that evening…

Maybe that room mate Chris had got the clothes from was Albus? But then wouldn't have Albus come to see him? Even if he wasn't allowed late that evening, this morning? Whenever Scorpius would stay up late at the library, Albus would always come to find him. What was so different now?

Of course, Danielle.

As Scorpius got changed, Madam Pomfrey stood with her back to him on the opposite side of the Wing, looking as if she was preparing some medicines.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Scorpius called as he buttoned his shirt. She swung her head around at the call of her name, "Did Albus stop here last night or this morning?"

"Young Mr Potter? No, my dear boy, he did not." She shrugged dismissively turning back to her work.

So Albus hadn't come to find him. Even if he didn't know what had happened, he thought he would have come to find him. But no, he didn't. Scorpius' heart ached at the thought.

Once he was ready, he bid farewell to Madam Pomfrey, muttering yet another thank you to the Healer.

Scorpius walked solemnly to the Great Hall for breakfast, thinking of the way Albus had probably not even noticed his absence. How much do you want to bet he was off snogging Danielle. Scorpius thought angrily to himself.

As Scorpius stormed into the Hall, he looked up to the Ravenclaw table, to find someone to eat with. He spotted Albus almost immediately but a pang to his heart came when he noticed Danielle sitting next to him.

He glanced round the room and saw Louis Weasley at the Gryffindor table with Martino, Rose and Hugo. He considered going to sit with them, but he was curious to know whether Albus did put any effort into finding him last night or this morning. He wanted to know if he had even noticed he was gone.

Scorpius sat himself on the other side of Albus being careful not to glare at Danielle too much, or even Albus himself at this point in time.

Albus grinned as his friend took a seat next to him and turned from his girlfriend to Scorpius, "Hey! Where were you this morning? Have you suddenly become an early riser or something?"

Albus hadn't noticed he was gone all night. He hadn't bothered to come find him, nor had he been the one to give Chris his clothes and books, it must have been one of the other boys in the dorm, which meant he didn't even know he was hurt. Scorpius considering getting up and going to sit with Louis, but he didn't have the heart to leave Albus, even now, "I just woke up early and went for a walk."

Albus tilted his head to the side and frowned slightly, "That's unlike you."

"Oh, I love walks first thing in the morning," Danielle said, directly at Albus, "Maybe we could do that sometime…"

"How about tomorrow before we go to Hogsmeade?" Albus suggested with a sparkle in his eye.

Scorpius gritted his teeth as the girl almost squealed, like a pig he thought, "Oh yes! That would be lovely! So romantic. We would be starting off an amazing day, together."

"It's a deal then. Meet me in the courtyard at half seven?" Asked Albus.

"If you want to lie in or anything like that it's fine… you don't have to wake up so early for me." Danielle said sweetly, "We can go for a walk later."

Albus shook his head, "I'm an early riser."

Scorpius was finally about to get up and leave when he heard a familiar voice come from behind him. He swung his head around, only to see Chris standing there, a charismatic smile across his face. Scorpius instantly blushed under the Hufflepuff's gaze.

Albus' eyes soon followed his friend's as he stared at the older boy standing there. He watched the way Scorpius looked at the other boy and scowled, the first thought being who the heck is this? Making Scorpius blush? I always make Scorpius blush…

"Hi Scorpius, how are you?" Chris said, still smiling.

Scorpius moved over, closer to Albus to make space for Chris. Chris willingly took a seat next to Scorpius, resting his hands on the table, conveniently close to the blonde's. Scorpius looked at Chris shyly, through his locks covering his face, "Better, thank you."

Chris chuckled and reached forward, brushing Scorpius' bangs out of his eyes, enjoying the small gasp from the younger boy, "Don't hide behind your hair, it doesn't suit."

"Excuse me, but who are you?" Albus said abruptly, leaning over the table to get a better look at Chris.

"Albus…" Scorpius scolded quietly while Chris just laughed it off.

"I'm Chris Daley. It's nice to meet you." Chris held out a hand for Albus, which Albus just ignored. He did recognise the name though…

"And you two know each other?" Albus said rudely, earning another glare from his friend.

"We met last night when I helped Scorpius…?" Chris muttered, assuming that Scorpius would have told Albus, he knew how close they were.

"Helped Scorpius with what?"

"You haven't told him?" Chris raised an eyebrow at Scorpius who shook his head nervously, biting his lip.

"N-nothing… it's not a big deal…"

"Just with finding my book. I left it in the library, remember?" Scorpius lied, almost challenging Albus in a way.

Albus didn't say another word about it, though did send a few more fierce looks at Chris before turning back to Danielle to speak of their plans.

"So… how about instead of studying all day like you planned to do, you come to Hogsmeade with me tomorrow?" Chris said flirtatiously, his fingers creeping slightly closer to Scorpius'.

"You mean as like… a date or just going together?" Scorpius whispered, careful not to let Albus or anyone else for that matter overhear him.

"Um… a date if you want." Chris murmured back, knowing Scorpius didn't want anyone to know yet. He wondered whether he had told Albus… the whole school knew they were such good friends and he just assumed Scorpius would have told the other boy already.

Scorpius didn't know what to say. Chris wanted to date him… he knew he was attracted to him but Chris actually wanted to go out with him. But, Scorpius had said he wouldn't tell anyone he was gay yet. He was going to wait a while… wait until he was ready. Wait until he was ready to deal with what everyone would, people judging him. He wasn't sure whether he was ready to deal with his father's disapproval.

Yet there was a side of Scorpius who just wanted to go for it. He deserved to be happy and he deserved to try a romantic relationship as much as the next person did. He should be able to have the chance to experiment and explore this new side and these new feelings. It wasn't as if there was a lot of prejudice towards homosexuality in the Wizarding world, there hadn't been for decades and most young people were very open-minded about sexuality and didn't mind at all.

It was his father that would be the problem. He would hate it, absolutely hate it. Scorpius wouldn't be able to produce an heir, not a pureblood either etc. Mr Malfoy would just generally hate it. But, Scorpius didn't particulary look for his father's approval. He did everything for his own sake, for his own future. He wanted to be happy and that was important. There was also the detail that his father would most likely not find out if it stayed within the school as he didn't have any connections, other than Scorpius himself to the school.

"Um… I would like that," Scorpius nodded, his cheeks flushing, "A-although I haven't been… o-on a date before."

Chris simply smiled warmly at that comment, moving his hand to lay on Scorpius' shoulder, "I haven't been on a date with a guy before… so I guess we're similar in a way. I just want to get to know you better. I'm really glad you've accepted."

"I'm going to be slightly nervous…" Scorpius said with a shaky lip as he reached forward to grab a drink.

"So will I… but that's okay," Chris said supportively, casting his eyes solely to Scorpius when he saw Albus watching him, "I hope I can make you feel more relaxed."

"Um… maybe?" Scorpius said, thoroughly embarrassed as his heart thumped in his chest.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Scorpius," Chris grinned as he stood up, "How about I meet you at the front gate when the carriages leave so we can take one together?"

"That sounds good," Scorpius nodded with a small smile, glancing at Albus who was observing them, "And thanks for getting my stuff for me last night… "

"No problem. Didn't want you to be rushing this morning or anything." Chris placed a hand on Scorpius' shoulder as he passed, "See you tomorrow, Scorpius. Looking forward to it."

Scorpius' eyes followed Chris as he strolled out the Hall, looking back at Scorpius every once in a while and smirking. A sudden excitement overcame Scorpius as he thought of the following day… this was happening so fast, it was scary. He had only just realised that he liked boys and now he was going on a date with one. And he had only just met Chris too! But he was excited too. Excited to have this almost fresh start. He could forget this confusion with Al and just indulge in this new feeling with Chris.

"What the hell was that all about?" Albus spat out, ignoring Danielle's curious glances.

"I'm going to Hogsmeade tomorrow with Chris…" Scorpius told his friend, feeling somewhat resentful towards Albus for his attitude towards the older Hufflepuff.

"B-but you said you were studying tomorrow?" Albus stuttered. He didn't know why, but he didn't want Scorpius around that boy. What if he tried to take advantage of him? He knew Chris was gay and of course he didn't have anything against gay people! But he was just very protective over Scorpius and Scorpius was quite… attractive, he would admit, he happened to have noticed in fact… so he was sure Chris had as well.

Scorpius raised his eyebrows, "So, I can't go to Hogsmeade without you but you can go without me?"

Albus' face dropped, "That's not what I meant…"

"Albus… just drop it." Danielle tugged on his robes, a worried look painting her face.

"I broke my foot last night, Albus," Scorpius finally admitted, Albus' eye widening instantly, "Not that you realised… you didn't even know I was gone, despite the fact we share a room and I was in the Hospital Wing all night," Scorpius hissed, but already felt guilty as soon as he had said it when he saw Albus' despair, "Chris helped me. He found me and carried me to the Hospital Wing."

"Scor… God, I'm sorry," Said Albus genuinely, concern ridden in his voice, "I just… I came to find you when you rushed off but bumped into Danielle," Albus glanced at his girlfriend who offered a awkward smile, though Scorpius just felt jealousy spike through him, "I came back late and just assumed you were in bed… I'm sorry."

"I'm going to sit with Louis." Scorpius burst out suddenly, standing up and starting to scurry away.

"Hey!" Albus hastily stood up too, grabbing Scorpius' wrist, "Scor! Since when have you been friends with Louis?"

Scorpius crossed his arms, turning his head to the side in annoyance, "I do have other friends you know."

"Scor, that's not what I meant-wait!" But Albus' protests were left useless as Scorpius charged away from his friend after his pent up anger and frustration towards Albus suddenly coming to the surface. He knew that this was mostly because he had been confused about his relationship with Al and probably shouldn't have snapped at his friend at all.

Eyes were upon Scorpius as he took a seat at the Gryffindor table, next to Louis. James had sent an unwelcome glare Scorpius' way as he sat, but Scorpius ignored it of course.

Louis didn't even question Scorpius' sudden change of heart to sit with them, but was far too curious about something else, "Scorp!" He whispered in his ear, "Talking to Christopher Daley already? Isn't he handsome?"

Oh here we go, Scorpius cursed himself. Prepare for this, Scor.

~X~

A/N: Considering how fast I've been updating, this is slightly late for me! Sorry, was out today and would have posted beforehand if I wasn't already late xD

So this chapter was actually slightly shorter than previous ones (word count) but I guess it's because there's so much dialogue. There's also not that much to it really, the most important thing being the meeting between Albus and Chris and how hostile Albus is towards him, and the fact Chris has asked Scorpius out so soon.

I hope the fact Scor was quite hostile towards Albus as well in this chapter is justified, I mean Albus hasn't been the best friend to him and wasn't being nice to Chris either... Scorpius is also probably jealous as well so that might be something to do with it xD

Tonight is the last late night before school and stuff so I guess tomorrow's chapter will probably be the last one updated so quickly... D:

So thanks to drumline and EKdark for reviewing the last chapter!

Next chapter:: Scorpius and Chris go on their date but, of course, happen to bump into Albus and Danielle.