~What Am I Feeling?~
~Chapter 52- Broken Glass~
Time seemed to speed faster than before and it was already the Easter holidays. Albus and Scorpius were pretty much sorted in terms of knowing what they were doing after they left Hogwarts. They had been accepted on the courses they wanted, where they wanted and even had a home to go to. All they needed now was the grades.
Scorpius had been revising non-stop since Christmas, unlike Albus who was literally leaving it till last minute. He had done some, when Scorpius made him but would do everything to avoid it really. Rose had done quite a lot too and her and Scorpius had been revising together.
Scorpius had gone back to Grimmauld Place with Albus for the holidays and had actually been looking forward to it a lot. As well as promising himself that he wouldn't be revising as much, he was really forward to seeing Mr and Mrs Potter again as well as the others Weasleys. He had really bonded with them over Christmas and loved spending time with them. He hoped to get to know them all better too.
He had even been looking forward to seeing James again because they had got on really well at Christmas. He really did want to be friends with James and he was so pleased they had got past their childish problems and were now civil with each other.
He had been excited about seeing Teddy and Louis because he had missed them, and George of course. So when he arrived at Grimmauld Place and eventually got to see them again, he had one of those unstoppable smiles. Albus loved to watch him like this. He only ever saw Scorpius' genuine smiles around certain people and he loved it. After seeing Scorpius so heartbroken after the situation with his father, seeing him like this was overwhelming.
Right now, they were in Diagon Alley, shopping for the upcoming term. Albus and Scorpius hadn't been allowed to go out much last Christmas because of the paparazzi but the press had died down now and weren't so interested in them. There was always the odd picture in the newspaper, but they were never swarmed with journalists thankfully.
They had come to Diagon Alley with James but James didn't want to go to Flourish and Blotts so went to get some ice-cream, while the couple needed to get some books for school. He said that he didn't ever want to see a book again now he had past his exams and officially become a Curse-breaker. His course was only a year and a half long and he had secured a job now which he would start in a few weeks.
Scorpius dragged a finger across the spines of the books, looking for the Defence Against the Dark Arts revision guide someone recommended him to buy. He was also going to look for a few more Wandlore books soon, for him to read over the Summer.
Abruptly, someone grabbed Scorpius' shoulders, making a loud sound to surprise him. Scorpius quietly shrieked, turning around to a giggling Albus.
"You idiot! You gave me a heart attack!" Scorpius harshly whispered, whacking Albus' arm.
"I'm sorry! I just couldn't resist!" Albus leant in for a kiss, Scorpius teasingly pulling away for a moment before accepting his lips.
They kissed sweetly and playfully for a moment before Scorpius heard footsteps from down the aisle. He opened his eyes and they widened and narrowed as he saw who was standing there.
Automatically, Scorpius pushed Albus away and stared at his father, who was also gaping at his son. Scorpius thought he saw a little bit of guilt there in Draco's eyes.
Albus followed Scorpius' gaze and when he saw Draco there, he immediately stepped in front of Scorpius in a protective stance.
"F-Father-" Scorpius started but another voice interrupted him.
"Draco," The voice was full of haughtiness and arrogance. It was a man's voice and he was stern and superior with the way he said Scorpius' father's name, "Let's just leave this awful shop and-"
When the source of the voice turned the corner and came into view, Scorpius gasped slightly. He knew who this was. Although he had never met him and not even heard a lot about him, mostly negative things, Scorpius knew. He knew from the few photos he had seen of this person and the little amount of comments about him.
It was his grandfather. Lucius Malfoy.
Confusion was the first emotion to hit Scorpius and he revelled in it for a moment before another face, another who he recognised also stepped out.
His grandmother, Narcissa Malfoy.
Everything seemed to creep extremely slow in those seconds. So many things coursed through Scorpius' mind, including thoughts of fear and panic, not because of his grandmother however definitely because of Lucius, but mostly bewilderment. What were they doing here? They were supposed to be locked up in Azkaban for life…
Scorpius could only assume they had been released for good behaviour or other reasons he could not understand. And it must have been with very little public knowledge because Scorpius would have heard from someone. It happened sometimes.
And then another thought hit Scorpius. Was this the reason his father was so harsh on him? Because he knew his parents were returning? Because he knew his own father would absolutely hate it so he disowned his son rather than having to face Lucius' wrath? It was likely…
"Well I know who this is…" Lucius said in a cruel, slithery way, "Looks so much like a Malfoy… but has nothing inside him resembling Malfoy persona I hear…" Lucius stalked closer to the couple, Albus only strengthening his hold on his lover, "And I also know who this is," The tall, old man glared at Albus, "Also, looks so much like his forefathers, however I hear that you do resemble the disgusting Potter persona…"
Neither Scorpius nor Albus knew how to answer so remained silent and on guard. Draco and Narcissa weren't brave another to stand against him so he continued.
"You're an absolute disgrace to our family," Lucius spat, looking down his nose at Scorpius, "Being with a Potter and a boy for that matter. You're a disgusting little brat who should be grateful he was ever possessed the name of Malfoy in the first place."
The words spiralled into Scorpius like daggers. Scorpius knew he shouldn't listen, he knew he shouldn't care about anything his grandfather said to him but he couldn't help it. He was sensitive and it hurt. And what hurt even more was that all his father could do was stand there and hang his head low. Despite all the things his father had done and put him through, Scorpius had never seen him quite as pathetic as he looked now.
But someone did try to defend Scorpius, well not defend but give him some compassion. Narcissa waddled closer, obviously frail and smiled softly at her grandson, "Scorpius… You've grown into such a handsome boy," Scorpius could see tears clouding her eyes, tears of happiness. Scorpius decided then and there that he liked his grandmother, he liked her a lot and wanted to know her, "I've waited so long to see you; I've been so desperate to see my grandson-"
"And what a disappointment he must have been." Hissed Lucius, Scorpius' hatred for Lucius only bubbling up more violently within him, for interrupting Narcissa.
Silence swept over the Malfoys and Potter. Albus tried dreadfully to defend Scorpius but his head just came up with more and more dreadful words to describe the eldest Malfoy.
But Scorpius thought of a better way to get under his grandfather's skin. He simply turned to his father, ignoring Lucius completely and politely asked, "How are you and mum?"
They were all shocked at Scorpius' actions, especially Draco. After the way he had treated Scorpius, how could Scorpius still speak to him with such kindness in his tone, "W-we're fine. Yes… we're fine. You?"
Lucius interrupted, smacking his cane onto Draco's chest, lightly but enough for there to be a thump. The anger welled up in Scorpius' eyes and he felt like he was about to burst at any second, "You shouldn't exchange pleasantries, Draco, with a blood traitor."
It was Albus who snapped first and he pressed his lips together in a thin line, "Come on, Scor. Let's get away from this vile old man."
Lucius laughed, no not laughed, cackled in response, "Oh that's just like a Potter to be so up on their horse, better than everyone. I'm not the vile one when you come from a family of misfit, repulsive-"
"What the hell is going on here?"
James stood behind Albus and Scorpius, his face puzzled as he glanced between the couple who looked scared out their wits and the three Malfoys. Draco and Narcissa had given up entirely and were cowering in the corner.
"And who are you?" Lucius raised his eyebrows then furrowed them.
"Well, I guess I come from the family of repulsive misfits." James said with gritted teeth.
"Another Potter? Oh the joy." Lucius said sarcastically.
"Yeah, I think I know who you are," James marched towards Lucius, his hand hovering above his wand in his pocket if needed, "I would rather be repulsive misfits instead of vermin like you."
"I'm surprised you even know what a word like that means."
"Oh well I'm full of surprises," James didn't hesitate when he let his face get extremely close to the wrinkled man, "Keep away from my brother and Scorpius."
The Malfoy grinned in James' face, "Or what?"
"Or Azkaban will seem like heaven," The eldest Potter child turned on the balls of his feet and stomped the other way, his chin tilted up proudly. He didn't turn back when he placed his hands on the side of Albus' and Scorpius' back and gently nudged them in the opposite direction, "Come on, let's get out of here."
James escorted the couple out of the shop and down the road as quickly as possible. Albus calmed down and focussed on Scorpius. But the small blonde boy was still shaken up.
They didn't say a word, even when they individually stepped into the floo and requested to go back to Grimmauld Place. Scorpius was the last one to arrive back and that was when the commotion started.
Lily was sitting on a sofa near the fireplace, watching Muggle TV. She turned and beamed at her family siblings and Scorpius when they appeared through the flames.
"Did you have a good time?" She asked innocently.
Scorpius couldn't contain himself any longer and he erupted into angry tears. With those angry tears, came a spike of frustration through the air, echoing throughout the whole house so even Mr and Mrs Potter upstairs could feel it.
The waves of rage continued to pulse around Scorpius. Lily and James were utterly confused and rather frightened while Albus just panicked.
Enveloping Scorpius in his arms, he tried to shush and calm Scorpius down, "Scor, Scor, listen to me… Stop… this isn't good for you!"
Scorpius ripped away from Albus' grip and a stronger throb of energy rocked everyone, causing the mirror above the fireplace to shatter loudly. Lily screamed, James diving towards her to protect her, while Albus didn't know what else to do but gawp in shock.
The Emovere collapsed on the floor, exhausted, still sobbing into his hands. By then, Ginny and Harry had rushed down the stairs and were standing in the doorway, watching.
A moment went by and Scorpius' emotions stopped pounding and went duller, until it disappeared. But Scorpius' cries did not cease.
Albus bent down next to his boyfriend, being careful of the broken glass. He wrapped Scorpius in an embrace which Scorpius sank into gratefully.
"James… take Lily out for a while. For a walk or something." Harry suggested in a whisper.
James led Lily out of the room, brother and sister still viewing Scorpius in concern. Scorpius still blubbered into Albus' shirt while Albus rubbed soothing circles into Scorpius' back and kissed the side of his head.
"Scor… Scor, shush… Tell me… what are you feeling?" Albus muttered, tangling his fingers in Scorpius' locks to keep his head pressed against his chest.
Harry and Ginny backed out of the room, knowing that only Albus could help Scorpius now.
"So angry!" Scorpius' muffled voice said in frustration, "So, so angry!"
"Why? Why are you angry?" Albus questioned.
"B-because, he thinks he knows me and can say all those horrible things to me when he doesn't! He doesn't know me at all! If someone I knew said all those things; if my father had said those things, I would have been hurt but no! He just made me so angry!" Scorpius yelled in Albus' chest, his crying becoming louder, "And then… did you see the way my father just stood there?" Scorpius' expression became quieter and more despairing, "He didn't say anything… he didn't defend me at all… he couldn't even look at me most of the time! And that made me angry too… but that also hurt me so, so much…"
"Scorpius, you listen to me now; Your grandfather, no actually, he doesn't even deserve to be called your grandfather because a granddad doesn't treat his grandson that way… Lucius is a horrible, horrible man and you're right, he doesn't know you at all! All those things he said are complete and utter rubbish… don't listen to a word of them. And I promise you now… you will never have to see that man again. I promise, I promise… I will never let him near you ever again…" Albus knew he had to tread carefully at this part and took a deep breath, "As for your dad… he's just a coward. And you need to forget about him not protecting you. He's not strong enough. Forget about it…"
Scorpius' blubbers softened and Albus just held Scorpius until they stopped. Scorpius finally lifted his head from Albus' chest and looked up at those green eyes with his own bloodshot ones.
"Am I a fool, Albus?" Scorpius asked weakly, "What is it I'm not doing right? I'm being myself and being with the person I love and I get called disgusting for it… Am I a fool to start thinking everything was going to be alright?"
"You're not a fool, Scor. You're not a fool at all because everything is alright," Albus held Scorpius' face in his hands, never breaking eye contact, "We're fine and we're happy and we're going to be together forever… A few people don't accept us… so what? We're stronger than that, yeah?" Scorpius nodded and Albus just grinned, "We're Albus and Scorpius, we're untouchable."
Scorpius chuckled through his croaky throat and let his forehead fall onto Albus' collar bone, "Your parents are going to hate me for wrecking their mirror…"
"Actually, that's an old mirror Kreacher won't let us get rid of so you've actually done them a favour… I have not seen that side to your power before though."
"Neither have I… I'm sorry, I lost control and it was… kinda scary."
"I admit, it was, but only because I was worried about you," Albus pressed a light kiss to Scorpius' lips, "You're gonna have to tell James and Lily about your power though… after they witnessed that I don't think there's many excuses we could use…"
Scorpius nodded in agreement and started pushing himself off the floor, "Yeah, I guess I'm going to have to… just after I apologise for your parents for making a mess…"
"You're living in a family of Potters, my love… there's always mess here."
~X~
A/N: One of the most intense chapters I've written so far I think... Wasn't an easy chapter to write, but I'm not going to lie and say it wasn't fun...
A lot of people guessed Draco and/or Astoria! Draco was right but I don't think any of you were expecting the elder Malfoys to come back from Azkaban! Dun dun dun!
To answer a question asked in a review, yes, this is going to be taken beyond Hogwarts! Far and beyond Hogwarts! We've still got a lot of this story to go!
Thank you to Full-Empty-Spirit, wheresthewolf, Satary, esinger, drumline, lordsteinman, GreenGirl111, DarkSnakeLordess, Awsoamazing11 and Stereotypical Emo for reviewing the last chapter! Please keep reviewing!
Next chapter:: Scorpius doesn't like having to go out in the dark alone.