~What Am I Feeling?~

~Chapter 35- A Persuasive Orator~

A few weeks passed after the unveiling of George and Teddy's relationship and things had not been going exactly smoothly, even among the Weasley offspring. Still at Hogwarts, they had been arguing as they took sides between George vs. Angelina. It was all rather ridiculous.

It was the people who tended to think more rationally who were 'team George'. They weren't condoning what he did at all, they just wished to think about it more before they acted out. This ended up being only Albus, Rose and Lucy, and Scorpius, though he wasn't actually part of the family. However with Rose being a keen orator, it meant she often spoke her mind and Lucy just liked arguing so got into the thick of it. Albus had only flipped once when Hugo made a comment about it being 'disgusting to be in love with someone you're not supposed to be in love with.' Of course, it reminded Albus of him and Scor, so lost it.

The rest of the family had taken Angelina's side, or were at least unsure. They had been snappy with the others because they thought they were agreeing with what George had done, when really they were just trying to be reasonable. Fred had very heavily protected his mother, whereas his sister was more unsure. Hugo had also been a heavy participant in the arguments, as well as Molly. Louis was just a bit confused and in the middle of it all, not knowing what to think really. Lily had just been trying to keep the peace as well and didn't express her own opinion.

Thank Merlin James wasn't there though, because there was no doubt that he would have a lot to say about it.

As for the rest of the family, they hadn't heard too much, other than letters for support for the twins. But from what they had heard, it seemed that the elders had also been quite divided too. Although most of them were more reasonable, the fair few had been quite hateful about it. Harry, Ginny and Ron to start with, Fleur because she was quite good friends with Angelina and Percy who was also very moralistic. They hadn't heard anything about Grandma Molly and Granddad Arthur reacting, but Albus could imagine they were quite partial in the matter.

Charlie and Bill had defended their brother throughout the matter. Albus and Scorpius wondered if they knew something beforehand. But Albus also knew that after Fred's death, Bill and Charlie had been the two to look after George the most, ignoring their own grief so they were just consumed with George's well-being. Out of the whole family, after all they had been through with George, they would have wanted for George to be happy. And apparently, all they wanted was for George to be happy, and if Teddy was the root to that happiness, then so be it.

Albus and Scorpius were curled up on their bed the night before they had to return home for Summer holidays. Since they were prefects, they had received a room to share with one other prefect. Of course, they shared it together and it had been wonderful. They got so much more privacy, not needing to worry about being caught and slept in the same bed without any worries of anyone walking into them. It was like living together. No parents, no worries. Time to be alone. It was what any couple dreamt of.

The brunette held the small of Scorpius' back, making sure there was no space between their chests. He ran his lips over the curve of Scorpius' neck, enjoying the small hums of pleasure vibrating through the other's throat.

"Bloody hell Scorpius, I'm going to miss you so much…" Albus gasped as their growing pleasure brushed.

"Me too…" Scorpius whispered, "Why don't we just stay here?"

"I have to go home…" Albus shifted his weight a bit to look into Scorpius' eyes. He stroked the younger boy's cheek, "With everything going on, the family needs to be there for each other."

Scorpius sighed and their foreheads rested together, "If you need me, you know where I am. And I'll be here for you anytime."

Albus just smiled and joined their lips together for a heated kiss. It led to hands wondering over clothed skin and as usual, a grinding of the hips. Soft and pleasurable, until they reached completion. They had only gotten more confident with their touching, though they still didn't progress any further in the physical side of their relationship.

Albus grabbed Scorpius' backside desperately so their hips were pressed even closer together. Scorpius gasped and moaned into Albus' neck, clutching Albus' school shirt.

They both moaned loudly as they reached completion, panting into each other's collar bones. Albus noticed his hand still rested firmly on Scorpius' arse and for a moment he was entranced. He had touched Scorpius there before, but only momentarily and not so much in the spur of the moment. He couldn't believe how much just touching Scorpius' butt turned a light on in him.

A new surge of lust washed over him and he snapped his hand away, leaving Scorpius with a disappointed moan escaping his lips.

"S-sorry…" Albus mumbled, moving away from Scorpius.

"For what?" Scorpius asked and rolled over Albus.

"For going too far…"

Scorpius sighed and rolled over next to his boyfriend so there was a noticeable gap between them, "Are you… getting tired of me?"

Albus hitched himself up onto his elbows, frowning, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Because I-I won't go all the way yet…" Scorpius said hesitantly, "I think I'm ready really… I trust you b-but only if you want me…"

Albus' heart quickened and he caught his lower lip between his teeth, "Really…? You want to…?"

"Y-yeah," Scorpius sat up and held Albus' face, "I'm ready."

"Well… I think we should set a date or something… make it special," Albus smiled, rubbing their noses together, "It's your birthday soon… why don't we say then?"

Scorpius felt a surge of excitement rush through him and suddenly couldn't wait for his birthday, "O-okay…"

~X~

Albus and Scorpius sat on the train, curled up together. Albus was asleep, his arms circling Scorpius in a protective stance, even unconsciously.

Scorpius admired Albus' features, brushing his fingertips over Albus' warm cheek.

As he watched his boyfriend, he still couldn't believe he was with Albus in this way. Nearly a year had gone by since they got together and it still hadn't sunk in. After convincing himself that Albus could never feel the same way as he did, to find out he did and still be with him was still unbelievable.

He and Al had clicked so well from the beginning; he was glad that if he had to be with anyone it was Al. He wanted to be with Albus more than anything of course, but he still felt he didn't deserve Albus. Albus was so good, so amazing. Scorpius was just a quiet, boring boy in his opinion.

One of the best things was the knowledge that their love was so real. Scorpius had gone through eleven years, before he received the Baralime necklace, of experiencing what real love or love that people convinced themselves was real.

Scorpius knew their love was real. What he felt for Albus, and what Albus felt for him was real. He was safe in that knowledge.

The blonde watched as Albus yawned in his sleep, fidgeting for a moment before settling down again, his mouth pressed against Scorpius' locks. Scorpius smiled, enjoying how peaceful Albus looked. He knew it would not be easy for Albus this holiday. Their family was on the point of crisis. Well, it was for the Weasley family anyway. First of all, they were all very melodramatic so the situation was bound to be exaggerated. Secondly, they had always been such a happy family, so this was different to them. Nothing so serious had ever happened and it had rocked them worse than it would have rocked any other family.

Albus would have to deal with not seeing many of his relatives maybe and a lot of arguing. It would be hard, yet not quite as hard as it would be for Fred and Roxanne.

Scorpius accidentally nudged Albus while shifting his position and the older boy broke awake, his eyes moving over Scorpius sleepily, "Are we there yet?"

"No, sorry… just go back to sleep, I'll wake you up when we are." Scorpius kissed his cheek.

"Nah…" Albus smirked, though still hazily, "I want to stay up awake with you. You're better than dreaming."

Scorpius snorted, shaking his head, "You're so cheesy, Albus Severus."

"And you're so beautiful Scorpius Hyperion." Albus trailed kisses down the Malfoy's neck.

"Cheesy, cheesy, cheesy."

The rest of the train ride consisted of the two boys teasing each other endlessly and sharing the gentlest of kisses. When they arrived at the platform, they were almost prepared to just stay on the train and get sent back to Hogwarts, in order to spend extra time with each other.

Stepping off the train, Scorpius instantly spotted his parents smiling at him, his mother waving. Giving Albus one last hug, he went to his parents side so they could take him home.

Albus crept up to his own parents, Lily already found them it would seem, almost with a sort of shame. He didn't know why he felt like this, maybe it was because he knew about George and Teddy way before everyone else and didn't tell his family, but it might also be because he had a different view on the situation to his parents. He believed that George and Teddy did deserve to be with each other and be happy, but his parents didn't, from what he had heard anyway.

"Albus dear," Ginny enclosed her son in a tight hug, "How are you honey?"

"I'm fine mum…" Albus shrugged, pressing his lips together.

"Are you really alright?" Harry clapped a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Yeah, just a lot of stuff going on at the moment." Albus said nervously.

"Everyone's been arguing at school about… y'know, Uncle George and Teddy… so it's not actually been that great these past few weeks…" Lily added.

"Come on, we'll talk about it at home."

The drive home was filled with awkward silences in between exchanging pleasantries. Harry and Ginny already sussed out that their kids were feeling confused about the whole situation, or maybe even had a different opinion. Well, they would find out soon anyway.

When they arrived home, Lily rushed back out to visit one of her Muggle friends down the road. Albus sat down at the table in the dining room with a mug of hot coffee. After sorting out a few things, Harry and Ginny also settled down.

"So, it hasn't been good at school?" Ginny said, patting Albus' leg comfortingly.

"N-no… quite horrible really. I don't really feel like we're a family at the moment if I'm honest…" Albus let out a sigh.

"I know, honey, it's been the same here as well."

"We're just trying to understand why they would do such a thing really." Harry shook his head, shifting in his seat.

"You think George and Teddy are wrong to do what they have done… don't you?" Albus whispered, lowering his head.

"And you don't think they're wrong, do you?" Ginny asked with a small smile.

"No, I don't actually…"

"Albus, we don't think Teddy's wrong… Teddy is clever, but we don't know what's going through his mind right now," Harry ran his fingers through his dark, straggly hair, "He's probably just entranced with George… you know, thinks he's in love. But it's George we're really mad at… he should know better than to take advantage of Teddy! And he should definitely know better than to risk ripping his family apart for a worthless affair."

"Well how do you know he's not in love with Teddy? How do you know that he's not entranced with Teddy, as Teddy is with him?" Albus raised his voice a little, keeping his anger at bay though.

Ginny interrupted, "George said himself he could never fall in love after Fred died because he could never 'gather as much emotion' to fall in love with someone. We thought maybe he did with Angelina… but no."

"But that's not a good reason! That was after Uncle Fred died and he would have been upset and confused! How do you know he's not in love with Teddy?"

"Albus, how do you know he is?" Harry said with a half-chuckle.

Albus' face dropped, but he decided he couldn't convince his parents unless he actually did tell them how he knew, "I've known for months about them."

Their eyes widened, "What? What do you mean you knew? Did they tell you? Did you catch them?" Ginny fired the questions, one after another.

"No, nothing like that… At the beach in the Summer, Scorpius could feel it, you know? He could feel that they were in love and stuff… and one night we saw them." Albus admitted.

"And they don't know that you knew?"

"No…"

"Merlin Albus, why didn't you tell us?" Harry smacked a hand over his forehead.

"Because we knew you would all react like this and didn't want to be the ones that caused that…"

"And you say that Scorpius felt they were in love?" Ginny uncertainly questioned.

"Yeah… and Scorpius wouldn't make that up or anything. He said they were the happiest he had ever felt of them before, when they were together. He said that it wasn't just desire, but the desire to do anything to be with each other. He said they were beyond caring about others and wanted to be selfish, because they couldn't be without each other. I know… that if I felt that way about someone, I would do the same for them… if I really couldn't live without them, I would do anything to be with that person." Albus was careful not reveal anything about him and Scorpius though it could be almost obvious as he was rather convincing that he knew a lot about being in love with someone.

They stared at him in awe for a moment. How come everything he said made sense? How come their view of such a serious situation was suddenly changed by just the words of seventeen year old boy? Was it because he was so passionate? So driven? Or was it because deep down, they knew he was speaking from the heart and knew he was speaking from personal experience.

"Albus Severus Potter… since when did you become so mature and impassioned?"

~X~

A/N: I'm sooo annoyed at myself because I've had this chapter ready for like a week but just forgot to post it! Gah, I'm so sorry!

The good news is though the next chapter is about half way done (woop woop) but also I have an extra chapter for Snapshots! Yay! Someone requested a chapter about how Louis and Martino got together (forgotten who, will have to look back on my reviews) and I managed to get writing it so tah-dah! It's not M rated like the others on Snapshots, sorry to disappoint anyone, but I'm quite happy with it as it really gives a deeper insight into their relationship and also into the characters themselves.

Didn't get as many reviews last chapter :( But thank you to Spaidel, lordsteinman (by the way, yes I'm in year 11 doing GCSEs! They're absolutely horrible! Good luck with yours too and happy birthday for when it comes up, even if there is an exam then!) aaaand Satary for reviewing the last chapter!

Next chapter:: Albus and Scorpius take a visit to the scandalous couple's new home.