Chapter 18

As Christmas kept coming closer, Draco was getting more and more worried.

Was Scorpius going to be okay? We shouldn't have let him go. Why doesn't anybody listen to me? Scorpius clearly was in no state to go to the Potters. Damn it Astroria.

Astoria, on the other hand, had no worries. Well, of course she worried about her son, every mother does, but she was sure he was happier with Albus, right now.

On the day of Christmas Eve, Draco couldn't hold it back anymore.

"Damn it, Astoria, why didn't you listen to me? I'm 100 percent sure Scorpius will not be fine at Potter's place. You saw what state he was in when we found him and I'm glad we did in time, he could've died! Why did you let him go?"

Astoria looked at him, sighed, and spoke: "I saw what state he was in. It broke my heart, seeing him like that. Just as much as it hurt you. But I also knew he was like this because he was not with Albus. Our son really, really loves Albus and it kills him to not be with him, even if Albus doesn't love him back. I don't want to be responsible for our son's misery. Please understand, I love Scorpius. We both do, so why should we make him unhappy? Of course I worry about him. I hope he's eating, I hope he doesn't harm himself again, but if we kept him here, I was positive he would continue sitting in his room alone, crying, hurting himself and not eating. Believe a mother's instinct on this, darling. I know this is better for him."

Draco huffed. "May be, but I still don't think it's a good idea."

"Then don't. I know I'm right. Now, I'll go and start cooking the Christmas dinner. You may help if you want," she smirked, already knowing the answer.

"Oh, I suddenly remembered, I got some… Uhm… Something more important than cooking to do!" Draco said a little too quickly, before standing up and hurrying out of the room.

-o-O-o-

Astoria was right. Scorpius had been having an amazing time. He had stopped self-harming and had eaten at least one full meal a day, since he was here.

It was all thanks to Albus, but Mrs. Potter's cooking was also a really supporting factor.

Ricky had come two days after Scorpius arrived. He was surprised Scorpius was there at first, but the three of them had been having a great time.

Tomorrow they would go to the Burrow to spend Christmas Day with the whole Potter-Weasley clan. Tonight they would have a dinner with Albus's close family and Teddy (who appeared to be related to Scorpius) and his grandmother Andromeda.

The only thing that he would be better off without, were the cuts he'd made. They were all scabbing now and they itched like hell. But he couldn't scratch them without Albus noticing. He would ask why he was scratching his arm all the time and then he would see the cuts and he would freak out and Scorpius didn't want to ruin the perfect times they had right now.

Right before the dinner Mrs. Potter had spend all day cooking, Ricky found Scorpius alone in their shared room.

"Hey Scorpius, what are you doing here?"

Scorpius smiled, as a way to say hello, and said: "Nothing special. Just thinking."

"I tend to do that too, a lot, lately."

"What about?"

"Life. How unfair it can be sometimes. About Damon. About how a weird person I am and that I'll probably never be loved."

"Same. But don't think like that. You're a good person. You're really fun to hang out with and you're not ugly at all. In fact, you're rather handsome."

Ricky blushed. "Thanks. Same to you. I just wish I could find somebody to love. It's difficult to find people like that."

"I know, but I think I found my knight in shining armor, as cliché as I sounds."

"Really? Who?"

Scorpius quickly covered his mouth with his hand. He did not just say that.

"No one."

"No tell me. Do I know him?"

"Yes, very well, in fact."

Ricky's eyes widened in shock. "It's not… It can't be… You like Damon?"

"NO! Oh, God no! I was talking about Albus!"

"Oh… Oh…"

"Yeah…"

"You know he's straight, right?"

"I know, I know. It's sad enough as it is already. I'll never be able to kiss those soft-looking lips of him…" Oh, no I just made this awkward.

"I felt the same way about Damon. It's best to just get over it, as difficult it may be."

"How did you get over Damon?"

"I made out with someone else. I don't know, it kinda helped."

"Great, I need to get over someone by kissing someone else. It's easy, but how do I find someone like that?" Scorpius sighed, hanging his head between his legs.

"Scorpius, it's not that hard."

"Wha-?" He was interrupted by Ricky smashing his lips onto his.

At first he was surprised, but he then recovered and started to kiss back (much to his own surprise).

The kiss wasn't rushed or anything. It was slow and passionately.

They broke apart, gasping for air.

What did I just do?

It felt like he had betrayed Albus, even though they weren't even dating.

Ricky smiled to himself. Scorpius turned his head and looked out the window.

The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Finally, Scorpius was free to stand up and walk away, when Albus called them for dinner.

Merlin, that was so awkward.

Albus looked at them when they came down.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

"No, not at all," Ricky said, still wearing that goofy smile. He looked cute like that.

What the fuck Scorpius?

Sorry this is short! I'll try and make the next chapter longer! I also don't like the ending… My apologies! I do hope it kinda cleared up the confusion regarding Astoria letting Scorpius go so easily! :$ I mostly wrote it to show y'all why and to introduce some new drama… Maybe I'll update again this week, but I don't think so… Again, Sorry!