~What Am I Feeling?~

~Chapter 11- A Game Of Jealousy~

Scorpius scurried down the changing staircases of Hogwarts, a few younger students passing him, some bumping into him as he said a rushed sorry. He tugged his bag further over his shoulder, turning abruptly around corners.

Scorpius was late; he had over slept for his date with Chris. Scorpius was a deep sleeper and always slept in, especially on the weekends. Normally… Albus would wake him up. But Scorpius knew Albus was out with Danielle already; they had woken up early for their walk. Thankfully for Scorpius, he still had about five minutes until the carriages left and hopefully Chris had waited for him…

Scorpius and Albus hadn't properly spoken since the morning before and their little 'spat'. The atmosphere had been extremely awkward throughout the day, only muttering words to each other during class about work and when in the common room, made slight small talk but nothing more. Albus had been quick to go and meet Danielle and Scorpius had hurried off to the library as soon as possible.

Scorpius sighed as he ran, regretting even letting it get to that extent. Nothing much had even happened really, it's just him and Albus had never had anything get between them before. He didn't like it. He didn't like the tense ambience between the two, they had always been so comfortable together before so this was something completely unfamiliar.

Scorpius sprinted out of the castle, heading towards the front gate where he could see moving carriages leaving for Hogsmeade. His heart sped up even more, thinking he had missed the carriages already.

Running towards the gate with an unsteady breath, Scorpius' eyes scanned his classmates, looking to see if he could spot Chris.

"Scorpius!"

Scorpius' head turned to see Chris standing towards the back of the line of carriages, waving at him repeatedly and despite Scorpius' tardiness, he still had a grin enchanting his face.

Scorpius gasped for breath as he strode quickly towards Chris, only thinking about what an awful impression he could have made.

"Chris… I'm so sorry I'm late," Scorpius babbled out, panting in between words, "I slept in! Normally Al- Someone else wakes me up. I'm so sorry, I never wake up on time. I really am so sorry! I didn't mean t-"

Chris chuckled and placed a hand on Scorpius' shoulder to stop him from prattling on too much, "Don't talk anymore. It's okay, Scorpius," Chris said gently while nodding, "I don't mind. Just made me more excited to see you."

Scorpius blushed at the very obvious flirting, "I'm still sorry. I-I've ruined the start to the day."

Chris bit his lip slightly; the boy was adorable, "No. No, I think it's going to be pretty perfect really."

Scorpius and Chris rode the carriage together. They sat opposite to each other, chatting and dare they say, flirting. Chris was an absolute charmer, that much was clear to Scorpius and it seemed the blonde was indeed falling for those sweet words.

"So, you only just got out of bed basically?" Chris said with raised eyebrows, shaking his head and looking off into the distance, "I don't believe you."

An instance frown snapped across Scorpius' face, "What do you mean?"

"You just… you look as lovely as usual. I don't know how you do it, really." Chris smiled, but it was a genuine smile Scorpius recognised.

Scorpius smoothed his hair down in front of his forehead, completely embarrassed, "I-I look awful! I just threw on the first clothes I could find and I always look horrible in the morning."

"Come on, the reason you were late must have been you were getting ready." Chris tilted his head in a playful way, smirking at the younger boy.

The blush returned to Scorpius' face and he looked down to the floor of the cart, "I really was sleeping."

"You do realise you're absolutely gorgeous, don't you?" Chris' voice broke with a laugh like it was obvious. Scorpius felt taken back, assuming that Chris was just saying it to compliment him and shook his head, "God Scorpius, girls are always talking about the good-looking Malfoy in the fifth year. Haven't you realised?"

Scorpius completely stilled, staring at Chris through his bangs of blonde hair. He was… attractive? Scorpius had never noticed himself. Albus had mentioned once that he could get any girl with his 'beauty' but Scorpius had always believed that people just thought Albus was attractive. He was nothing compared to Albus, not even anything compared to Chris. Chris looked… very handsome today. As always though. He wore a loose light blue t-shirt which Scorpius thought complimented his eyes, with a grey jacket, though he had taken it off as it was actually quite warm at the moment. Skinny jeans fitted his legs well, showing off his long legs. No, Scorpius didn't think he was anything compared to him, "No… I'm not."

"You're very modest."

Time flew by, and the carriages seemed to have already stopped. They glanced at each other, standing up in the carriage. Both hesitated, waiting for the other to leave the cart first. Awkward movements came as well as clumsy peeks at each other. Finally, Chris held out a hand, offering for Scorpius to step off first. They laughed as they realised how idiotic they were being.

Scorpius uncomfortably crossed his arms and lowered his head when he saw Albus with his girlfriend, watching him and Chris with… jealous eyes? No, not jealous, Scorpius dismissed, just protective and suspicious maybe.

He was quick to ignore his friend. He was here with Chris now, on his first ever date. He needed to focus solely on Chris, disregarding his puzzling feelings for Albus. Chris was kind and lovely and slightly cheeky and they were getting on well together. Maybe… they could work. Maybe he could get over Albus by seeing Chris.

Wait… get over? Scorpius cursed himself immediately for using that phrase of words. He had never had any feelings for Albus in the first place.

The first place they headed was to Honeydukes, to top on their sweet supply, well Chris' sweet supply. Scorpius liked sweets and chocolates of course, but he could go without having them. It wasn't a necessity in his life.

Scorpius did love admiring the bright colours at every corner of Honeydukes, as well as the elaborate patterns and eccentric designs of the products. That was one of the things he loved about Weasley Wizard Wheezes which had he been to numerous of times since he had met Albus. The creativeness of shops like these, Scorpius wished he was creative like that. He was just too book smart really.

Chris followed closely behind Scorpius as they both pointed out particular sweets and things whizzed by them. Chris couldn't help but laugh at Scorpius when he jumped in surprise at some exploding bonbons.

The shop was filled with bubbly Hogwarts students, glad to be out of the castle for a short time. Some noticed Scorpius Malfoy and Christopher Daley together, wondering why on earth the two were even together, but soon forgot about it and continued to explore the shop.

Scorpius and Chris started to survey some chocolate frogs, Chris picking a packet up.

Chris leaned forward so his lips were close to Scorpius' ear, "Do you collect the cards?"

A small gasp escaped Scorpius' mouth as he looked up, his and Chris' noses almost touching. The Hufflepuff seemed absolutely entranced with Scorpius' stormy, but beautiful grey eyes as the younger boy muttered, "N-no. I have a few though I do like the chocolate. I've given most of them to Albus though because he collects them," A pause, before he asked, "Do you collect them?"

"Me and my brother do. We've collected them for years." Chris admitted, even if it was considered a slightly nerdy hobby.

"Is your brother older?" Scorpius thought he should get to know Chris himself really.

"Yeah, he left Hogwarts two years ago. He's working in the Ministry, just doing secretarial work at the moment, but he's hoping to move higher up sooner or later."

Scorpius nodded and smiled, stepping to the side. In no way graceful, he tripped over Chris' foot and toppled over towards the side. He gasped when he landed in a big pair of arms wrapped firmly around his body; one around his torso and one rested on his waist.

He flushed immediately as he realised it was Chris (of course) who had caught him. Chris was laughing heartily at Scorpius, showing his lovely smile and perfect teeth.

"You are rather clumsy, aren't you?" Chris grinned, tapping Scorpius' nose light-heartedly.

Scorpius' eyes widened when he was reminded of the way Albus would tap his nose like that, up until recently. Again, he tried his best to put thoughts about Albus beside, "Unfortunately, yes."

It was only then that Scorpius felt Chris' arm enfolded tightly around his waist. Chris almost looked to him for approval and Scorpius didn't know what else to do other than offer a weak but embarrassed smile.

Chris' arm remained at his waist and Scorpius didn't feel uncomfortable in this soft, yet intimate embrace.

Chris had breathed a sigh of relief as Scorpius let him hold him like this. He thought it might have been taking it a step too far seeing as Scorpius was so new to all of this but he knew that when he first realised he was gay, he wanted to just explore the new feeling of being with someone else. He hadn't, Scorpius was the first boy he had been out with… or even touched this way so it was new to him too.

"Which are your favourites?" Said Chris, aware that his and Scorpius' bodies were now pressed closely together as his arm fit comfortably around his waist.

Scorpius leant back slightly into Chris' arms, having to tilt his head back to look into Chris' eyes, "Pink Coconut Ice."

"Hm, really? Coconut?" A look of surprise overcame Chris' face. He didn't think Scorpius would be the type to like coconut for some reason.

"I love coconut. I love the taste the smell, everything." Scorpius declared blissfully.

Chris reached over to grab two boxes of Pink Coconut Ice as well as a few Chocolate Frogs. He dragged Scorpius towards the counter, grinning from ear to ear.

"What are you doing?" Scorpius questioned as he was dragged across the shop.

"Just getting you a treat." Chris shrugged casually.

"No, you don't have to do that."

"Sh, and just let me treat you."

Scorpius couldn't help but giggle at the Sixth Year as he paid for the treats. The person at the counter gave them a curious look while Scorpius was still curled into Chris' arms.

They left Honeydukes, standing outside on the street. Chris held out the two boxes for Scorpius who accepted them gratefully.

"Your first present from me." Chris murmured, their fingers brushing as handed the boxes to the other boy.

"You shouldn't have." Scorpius blushed yet again.

"I wanted to."

Their next destination was the Three Broomsticks. Scorpius had slipped the boxes into his bag for safe-keeping. He was sure he would enjoy them later on.

The couple talked about likes and dislikes, ranging from food to school subjects. They walked extremely close together, their fingers brushing. Scorpius' breath quickened at the feeling when Chris caught his glance. Scorpius felt warm fingers enclosing around his own until his hand rested in a big hand. Their intense gaze remained for a few moments before both turned away, flushed.

Scorpius relished the feeling of Chris' hand wrapped around his but couldn't help but compare it to Albus' hand. He and Albus had always just held hands in private, in their younger years sometimes in public too. It was just something natural they had always done. And his hands fit so perfectly with Albus'. Albus' hand was always exactly right to fit Scorpius' into, even as they grew. They had a running joke that the day their hands didn't fit so well, was the day the world would end.

When they arrived at the Three Broomsticks, the first thing Scorpius noticed was Albus sitting with Danielle at their own table in the pub. Albus was holding the Hufflepuff girl's hand from across the table, but his attention instantly snapped once Scorpius and Chris walked in. He sat up in his chair, curiously watching his best friend with this… stranger.

Scorpius lowered his head as they walked past Albus to the bar to order drinks. His and Chris' fingers remained entwined and he was almost sure that Albus had spotted this little detail. Chris had not shown any signs of seeing Albus himself.

After ordering two butter beers, Scorpius and Chris headed to a plush sofa free at the other side of the room, their hands never failing to separate.

By now, Albus had definitely realised that Chris was holding Scorpius' hand. He eye twitched as he watched Chris lead Scorpius to the other side of the room, gripping Scorpius and pulling him along (well, it seemed that way in Albus' eyes). Why was Chris holding Scorpius' hand? What the hell did he think he was doing? And more importantly… why did Scorpius seem to be accepting it and letting him?

"Albus?" Danielle called quietly in concern, her chair facing away from the two boys who had just sat down so hadn't seen them.

Albus' eyes snapped back to Danielle and he blinked a couple of times, "Sorry… just got a bit distracted there…"

Scorpius felt a tinge of relief when Albus turned back to keep conversing with Danielle. Even though Scorpius wished he wasn't with Danielle in the first place, at least he wasn't staring Scor and Chris down and distracting him from his date with the older boy.

He and Chris finally released each other's hands once they sat down. Scorpius slid onto the sofa first, Chris joining him and sitting closely again.

Scorpius smiled at Chris adorably before holding his Butterbeer in his hands and taking a big sip, the pure delight of the drink filling his stomach and relaxing him to the bone.

"You are just adorable." Chris chuckled, enchanted with the younger boy's surprised look.

"W-what?" Scorpius mumbled, the rim of the glass still pressed to his lips.

Chris reached forward and wiped the soft foam covering Scorpius' top lip. Scorpius gasped and brought the glass away from his mouth with the contact, until he realised what Chris was doing, "Foam."

An awkward silence swept over them and both sipped on their butter beers. Their eyes would meet, then they would turn away, Scorpius blushing again while Chris would smirk. Every time Scorpius would turn away, he would observe Albus across the room, who was taking turns to glance at Scorpius and have a conversation with Danielle, "So, what subjects do you want to take next year Scorpius? For your NEWTs?"

"Um, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, History of Magic and Transfiguration. I want to study Wandlore when I leave Hogwarts." Scorpius told Chris openly.

Scorpius proceeded telling Chris, in as little detail as possible about his plans for when he leaves Hogwarts and even after he studies Wandlore. He told him about Teddy and how great the Metamorphmagus was and how they were going to be the greatest wand makers in Britain.

"You're so ambitious," Chris said with fascination, "I guess that's just one of the things I like about you."

The blonde's cheeks tinted pink as he stuttered, "Y-you like m-me?"

Chris closed his hand around Scorpius' again, under the table, "I would have thought that was pretty obvious," Scorpius let out a nervous gasp type laugh, as he twisted his head to the side, trying desperately to hide behind his hair, "Don't hide from me," Chris smiled chastely, brushing Scorpius' blonde locks out of his eyes so he could see those nervous looking silver orbs, "Can I… kiss you?"

Scorpius' breath hitched in his throat as he heard those words. Scorpius had never been kissed, which was quite obvious really. Albus kissed his cheek once, about a year ago and it had felt nice, though he didn't think nice was the right word. As his eyes cast over his best friend while he and Chris were in this intimate embrace, he watched the way Albus glared at the two of them.

And it was jealousy this time. Scorpius knew it was jealousy this time, because he could see the hurt mixed in with annoyance and anger in those emerald eyes. He saw hurt which he had only seen a very limited amount of times from Albus.

But there was this desire to play this game of jealousy, this tango of passion he and Al seemed to be unconsciously sharing. For Albus had made Scorpius jealous too, with Danielle, with kissing her and forgetting about Scorpius and telling Scorpius how much he liked the girl. Scorpius had been jealous. And he had the sudden urge to make Albus jealous too.

So Scorpius found himself nodding to Chris' request, his lips slightly parted as he ripped his gaze from Albus and locked eyes with Chris instead.

Slowly, Chris' hand slipped behind his neck, carefully caressing soft skin and playing with strands of fair hair. Their breaths had become unsteady in anticipation, yet the connection of their stare never broke.

Chris leaned forward gradually, not wanting to the rush the other boy. Scorpius remained motionless, but his eyes fluttered shut when he felt Chris' hot breath against his own lips. Their noses touched and a sharp intake of breath overtook Scorpius at that little touch.

The only way Scorpius could judge how close Chris was, was by the other's breath against his face getting stronger. Before they knew it, their lips had collided in a sweet chaste kiss.

Their lips moved scarcely upon each other, like they were frightened to move into new territory, yet still absorbing the feeling. Chris' hand moved slightly higher so his fingers were buried between Scorpius' hair. His other hand grasped Scorpius' tightly.

Kissing Chris was… nice. It was soft and caring, scared and new. Though Albus was right; kissing wasn't all it lived up to be. People lied when they said fireworks would explode in your head and butterflies go wild in your belly. They were wrong when they said your heart would feel like it was about to burst out of your chest from too much emotion.

Albus had been watching them the whole time, gaping. His lips had parted as soon as Chris' lips touched his friend's. There was a need to storm up and drag Chris off Scorpius but… Scorpius wasn't protesting. Scorpius was… gay? He… hadn't even told him. Albus felt his heart clench at the sight. He assumed it was because he thought his friend would have told him something so important but maybe… just seeing Scorpius with someone else, with another guy, just hurt.

The kiss only lasted a few seconds before the boys pulled away, Scorpius not feeling breathless like people said you would in a kiss, that was another lie. Chris smiled softly at Scorpius, moving his hand to cup his face and stroke the younger boy's cheek. Finally the connection of their eyes had broken and Scorpius naturally looked over Al.

He caught Albus staring, along with Danielle who seemed to have finally noticed them. The other couple looked sincerely shocked, mumbling a few words to each other while taking fleeting looks over at Scorpius and Chris.

"Scorpius…" Chris whispered delicately, "I really like you."

By impulse, Scorpius whispered in return, "I really like you too."

~X~

A/N: So here's the next chapter and sadly, probably the last one updated so quickly :( I promise I will try to update as soon as possible, though I really think weekends will be the best time for me to write. We shall see.

I really liked this chapter because I could finally write some sweet soppy stuff, even if it wasn't between Al and Scor. I also love writing Al jealous, which may be slightly strange. I came up with the 'game of jealousy' and 'tango of passion' literally on the spot and was so pleased with myself (sad, haha) but I think they're two phrases which could definitely describe the relationship between Al and Scor well.

I do feel kind of sorry for Chris, because he is a genuinely nice guy and it's going to seem that Scorpius is leading him on a bit, unconsciously really, but still leading him along. Kind of have to feel a bit sorry for Danielle in that way too I guess, but she's not a major character at all and I'm not going to use much character development for her.

So, thank you to EKdark, Pasdoll and drumline for reviewing the last chapter! Any suggestions or questions, keep reviewing!

The next chapter is a quite dramatic one... guess who is back.

Next chapter:: A confrontation from James, leads into new discoveries being made as well as confessions pouring out. Hopefully, it may restore some of the peace between Albus and Scorpius too.

Ooooh, what confessions? :O Hehe.