Music I listened to while writing : I like the way you kiss me - Artemas (slowed and reverb)

Scorpius moaned, tightening his legs around Albus's hips. The boy, lying on top of him, crushing him with his weight, nibbled on his throat, sliding his lips over his skin, kissed his jawline, and then captured his lips.

Albus felt like it had become a ritual. A carnal spirit had taken possession of their bodies. Scorpius asked for more and more sex, and Albus eagerly complied with his requests. They had gone from hesitant touches to fully exploring their desires, and neither of them complained about their new relationship.

Potter prevented him from touching himself, holding his arms above his head, trapping his slender wrists in one hand. He loved making him beg, even though he never gave in to his cries. He reduced him to a whimpering form, writhing beneath his body, drunk with pleasure.

A final cry, and Scorpius spilled over his own stomach and onto Albus's cock, which was rubbing against his. Potter kissed him as he reached orgasm, muffling a hoarse moan against his lips.

He rested his forehead on Scorpius's neck, appreciating the rhythm of his heartbeat that pulsed in his throat. Panting, he brushed the hair sticking to Scorpius's forehead aside and kissed his skin, moving down to his cheek and capturing his lips again. He released his wrists, but Scorpius didn't move, his lips slightly parted, eyes closed. His breathing remained rapid.

Albus rolled onto his side, pushing back the black hair that now fell into his eyes. A haircut wouldn't be a bad idea. He pressed his lips to the boy's shoulder beside him.

"I have no stamina," murmured Scorpius, his voice breathless, cheeks flushed. He turned to Potter, opening his darkened eyes with a tired hint of a smile. Albus laughed. Scorpius could handle one orgasm but always collapsed after the second, while Albus could keep going until complete exhaustion.

He stood up, trying to pull Scorpius up with him, but the boy only managed to sit on the blanket they had thrown in the middle of the greenhouse. The plants provided a warm, green hideaway, a true winter garden, stifling with heat, while outside the snow had begun to fall. Albus gathered their things and dropped Scorpius's clothes next to his naked body. Potter had only kept his pants on, which he had undone for their romp, but he had quickly stripped Malfoy completely.

In the rest of the castle, Hogwarts students were packing their suitcases, the train leaving early the next morning. The two boys had slipped away, as they often did, without explanation. A look, a touch from one or the other, and they would wander the castle in search of an empty dormitory or classroom. The greenhouse and the Hogwarts kitchens had already witnessed their gasps of ecstasy several times.

When the two boys returned to the Slytherin dormitory, the common room was in full chaos, filled with trunks and bags. Slytherins were running around looking for a book or a pair of socks.

They weaved through the luggage and climbed the stairs to their room. They ignored the lewd comments and innuendos as they approached and headed to their respective beds.

Scorpius opened his trunk and started folding his clothes. He worked meticulously for about two minutes before eventually shoving the clothes into the suitcase in haphazard balls. He piled books on top and stood on everything to press it down, under the amused gazes of the rest of the dormitory. In a timed ten minutes, the suitcase was packed. Albus asked for his help with his own packing, but Malfoy ended up flipping through magazines more than actually putting them away.

"December 24th then?" Albus asked, taking a magazine about the latest brooms from Scorpius's hands to put it in the trunk.

Without blinking, Scorpius opened another issue, comfortably lying on the bed atop the sweaters Potter hadn't folded yet.

"Yes. I'll arrive in the early afternoon and leave by midnight. The important day for us is December 25th with the traditional Christmas dinner. On the 24th, we host a large reception at the manor, and it's not at all intimate. My absence won't be noticed, but I'll still return for the midnight champagne. It's a tradition—Lucius would have a heart attack if I didn't toast with him."

"But after, you'll stay for a few days, right?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll try to come on the morning of the 26th for two or three days. But I'd rather ask them in person. You should ask your parents what they think too, anyway."

"They already said yes for the 24th," Albus shrugged.

"Let's take it slow, though," Scorpius sighed.

He was obviously nervous. The thought of being at the Potters' house on Christmas Eve wasn't something he had ever imagined experiencing. And he'd be alone among people who had a shared history with his family—a history that was neither joyful nor glorious. Scorpius kept up a good front, but his stomach churned at the thought of the holidays and the day he'd say, "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Potter." He shook his head and tossed the magazine into the trunk.

"Dorian will be there on the 25th," he said. "At the manor. My father invited his. He'll spend the rest of the holidays with his dad, but at least he'll be with me for Christmas dinner."

Albus smiled at that.

"I know, you've told me twice now."

Scorpius ignored his remark. He hadn't said anything, but spending Christmas without Dorian broke his heart. The fact that Draco had done everything to get Nott to accept the invitation for Christmas Day had thrilled the boy. Potter understood much better now who Dorian was to Scorpius—a true brother, nothing more, nothing less. A brother was important. Normally... Albus envied Scorpius's enthusiasm.

"Don't ball up my clothes!" he suddenly cried out, seeing the boy crumple his t-shirts. "It's my mom who irons them; we don't have a house-elf!"

Scorpius sighed, indignant.

"Like she really does it by hand like a Muggle and not with her wand? You're messing with me!"

"Of course not, but if you want to help, fold the clothes properly."

"I don't really want to help."

"Then get out of my way," he said, pushing the boy onto the bed, but Malfoy pulled him down with him, causing him to fall on top of him. He glanced at the other occupants of the room, all busy with their own packing.

"Close the curtains," Scorpius whispered in his ear.

"I have a suitcase to pack," Albus said, but he was already giving in. Malfoy had slipped his fingers under his shirt, his hands sliding down his stomach and lower.

"I'll help you pack... after."

And with a flick of his wand, Albus isolated them from the rest of the world.

Hogwarts Express

Rose opened a compartment door and let out a long sigh of relief. She floated her suitcase onto one of the overhead racks above the seat.

"Got one free!" she called out into the corridor.

Albus followed her in, holding Scorpius's hand, and they collapsed onto the red leather seats. Dorian Nott trailed behind them.

"No, no, don't get comfortable; we're taking the compartment at the back of the carriage!" Dorian said, grabbing Rose's suitcase.

"But this one's free!" the young girl protested.

"So is the one in the back. Come on, hop hop hop, up you get, Weasley! I'll carry your suitcase."

Albus threw Scorpius a bewildered look, who shrugged before following Dorian down the aisle. They reached the designated compartment, and Nott stashed the suitcase back in the overhead rack.

Rose settled by the window, Dorian next to her, with Scorpius and Albus across from them.

"And what's so special about this compartment?" Rose asked, removing her wizard robes.

Dorian eyed her, a charming smile on his face.

"It's magical," he said with a wink.

She shook her head but couldn't help smiling back. The train started moving, and Dorian waited until the locomotive passed beyond the Hogwarts grounds. He spread his legs and knocked his fist on the wooden panels beneath the seats. One of them sounded hollow, and Nott let out a triumphant shout. He slid the thin board aside and reached inside, pulling out a bottle filled with thick, amber liquid.

"No way!" Scorpius gasped.

"A cognac from 1870, my friends. This is what I call a great start to the holidays."

"You hid that there since we arrived at Hogwarts?" Scorpius asked, taking the bottle from Nott's hands. It was dusty, the label worn, as it had always looked.

"I didn't want Filch confiscating it—I'd never have gotten it back."

"You would've drunk another one," Rose said, wrinkling her nose at the bottle with its cork blackened by grime.

"Oh no!" Scorpius exclaimed, just as Dorian cried out in indignation.

"Do you know how much this bottle is worth?" Nott asked. Rose shook her head, and he continued, "Neither do I, because it's priceless! You'd have a better chance of buying Hogwarts than paying for a bottle like this."

"Then how do you have it if it's so rare?"

"The bottle has a whole history. But to keep it short, it came from the Rowle family cellars. We divided up some of the treasures after Thorfinn Rowle died in Azkaban."

"Divided up?" Malfoy exclaimed, outraged. "We were just there for the reading of the will at their castle. You stole it from their cellar! And without telling me!"

Nott waved his words off lazily.

"But admit it's a nice surprise. That fool left everything to the Bulstrodes! Since when does that family know anything about fine liquor? Or about anything, really," he added under his breath.

Scorpius nodded slowly, biting his lip, the bottle still in his hand. He was already salivating.

"I remember my grandfather's face when he saw their cellar. His eyes sparkled with envy; he looked like a kid in a candy store. He was eyeing a white wine—I don't even remember which one. He was red with fury when he heard the will being read."

"It was a Château d'Yquem 1811," Dorian said. Malfoy looked up to see his friend grinning like a madman. "He's going to love my Christmas gift..."

"That's disgraceful!"

"You're supposed to say 'thank you' when you're polite," Nott protested, reclaiming the bottle.

"You're really going to open it here?" Rose asked, watching Nott point his wand at the cork.

"Yes, they're going to open it!" Albus shouted, "And let us taste it too!"

"You can transfigure four cups, Weasley," Dorian said as the cork popped.

The girl complied, transforming her house keys into three iron cups, which Nott filled.

"I don't know why, but I figured we'd need a pick-me-up after our first few months at Hogwarts. Looks like I was right. I said four cups, Weasley."

"I don't drink."

Nott looked at her as if she had three heads and only one eye.

"And I don't eat unicorn, but if someone put a steak of it in front of me, I'd try it!"

She shrugged, giving him a half-apologetic smile.

"Not me."

"You're breaking my heart, Weasley!" He took her hand and placed his own cup in her fingers. "I won't drink until you've put your lips to my glass."

"That's ridiculous!" she cried.

"You should give in, Rosie, he's very stubborn," Scorpius said, smelling his cognac.

"That goes for you two as well—nobody drinks until she does!"

Ignoring the protests from across the compartment, he kept his eyes fixed on Rose, waiting for her to cave. She brought the glass to her nose and grimaced. She wanted to refuse again but saw three pairs of eyes watching her intently, especially Albus, who had raised his glass to his lips, waiting for her signal to drink.

Just one sip, she told herself. She took a drink and jumped, eyes wide open.

"It's amazing!" she finally said.

"No kidding? Now transfigure yourself a cup so I can take mine back."

Twenty minutes later, Dorian regretted insisting.

"Put your sweater back on, Weasley; it's not that warm!" he said, closing the bottle and placing it in his bag.

"But it is warm!"

She had already taken off one sleeve with difficulty, half of her head still stuck in the rest of the sweater.

Amused by her clumsiness, Dorian grabbed her arm, put it back into the empty sleeve, pulled her head through the collar, and brought out her long red hair.

"No, it's really not that warm. That's the alcohol talking." He took her by the arms and lifted her to her feet. He guided her to the window and cracked it open slightly. "Breathe; it'll do you good."

He sat down next to her, keeping a hand on her hip to steady her, easing the train's movements to keep her balanced.

She kept her eyes closed, the icy air blowing on her face, her cheek brushing the glass. She felt a hand on her forehead and heard her cousin's voice.

"You'll be fine, Rose. You're just not used to it—that's all. It'll pass."

"Drunk after two glasses of cognac," Dorian chuckled softly. "That's what we call a lightweight, Weasley."

Rose suddenly opened her eyes and turned to Nott. Almost startled by the fire in her gaze, he nearly backed away. She knelt on the seat next to him, her eyes burning.

"Stop calling me Weasley. My name is Rose!"

Momentarily surprised, he blinked several times before finally smiling.

"Okay, Rose."

She softened suddenly, her anger dissipating, and she swayed her head slightly as she gazed at him. She slipped her fingers under Dorian's hair, pushing back his bangs.

"I like your eyes. I love their color," she whispered softly.

Nott started to speak, but she pressed her lips against his. Stunned, the boy didn't dare move.

Still standing by the window, Albus froze. He cast a bewildered glance at Scorpius, who looked just as shocked as he was.

Rose pulled back from Dorian's lips, her eyes still closed as if savoring the kiss they'd shared, and she rested her forehead against his.

"I'm tired," she murmured.

Stupefied, Dorian swallowed hard and raised hesitant hands to the girl, gently pushing her to help her sit.

"It's normal," he managed to say. "You should get some sleep. In an hour or two, it'll all be over."

He leaned back on the couch and let her lie down beside him, which she did like an automaton. He removed his wizard robe and covered her with it. A minute later, she was fast asleep.

"It's crazy, she hardly drank anything," Scorpius whispered.

Albus sat beside him, still watching his cousin.

"But she never drinks, so it's normal."

"And you're happy!" Malfoy exclaimed, noticing the huge grin Dorian was trying and failing to hide.

"I'm not unhappy," he finally said.

Albus splashed water on his face, trying to keep his balance in the tiny bathroom of the train.

A revelation, a 150-year-old cognac, that hits hard!

He wetted his lips, took a drink, then spat the water into the sink. Two more hours until they arrived at King's Cross Station. This trip felt endless. He had slept for two hours on Scorpius's lap and had woken up with a dry mouth and a heavy head. Rose and Malfoy were playing cards, and Dorian was reading when he excused himself to go to the loo. In two hours, he and Scorpius would say goodbye on the platform. Only for a few days, but he didn't like it. He dreaded the separation and the withdrawal that would follow. They had already tested it, and it hadn't gone well.

He opened the door and tried to walk steadily. He greeted the few students he passed before stopping.

James met his gaze at the same time, then looked away to resume his conversation with Fred Weasley. Albus hesitated, then continued walking. He smiled at his cousin as he passed, without acknowledging his brother. He thought he had avoided a confrontation when he heard James call him. Albus turned, reluctantly, sizing up his brother. It felt like it had been three weeks since they last saw each other.

"Are we calling a Christmas truce?" James asked nonchalantly.

Albus felt a cold, insidious anger rise within him. He hated his brother's casual tone.

"Obviously, unless you want to explain to the family why you're such a bastard."

James didn't seem troubled or hurt by his words, remaining impassive.

"Is he coming to the house these holidays?"

Albus breathed deeper, his eyes steady.

"Yes. And things haven't changed—you're still banned from going near him."

James looked at him for a moment, emotionless, then turned his back and walked down the corridor.

Albus stood still, fuming. He wondered why he was so angry while James seemed to feel nothing. It was as if nothing had happened. How could he act like that?Albus recognized this behavior—Scorpius had it too!

That coldness, that ability to compartmentalize what they felt and what had happened to them, they both shared the same way of isolating their emotions and pretending total indifference. Albus couldn't do that! And he knew someone else who couldn't either.

He had hesitated for a long time, had avoided thinking about it, but he and Dorian had never really talked. And surely, they had things to discuss, right? A lot of things.

When he returned to the compartment, his anger hadn't subsided. Dorian was staring out the window. The rest of the compartment was empty.

"Where are the others?" he asked as he sat on the couch.
Nott turned to him.

"Scorpius went off to chase the sweets trolley with Rose." He chuckled softly. "They're both so skinny, yet they're the ones addicted to sugar."

"Rose doesn't even like sweets that much, I think she's just avoiding you."

"Maybe," he said quietly, staring into space, a faint smile on his lips.

Albus hesitated, licking his lips. He already regretted his decision, but he stood up and closed the compartment door. Dorian frowned as he saw Albus sit back down across from him, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

"I need to talk to you," he finally said.

"Go ahead," Dorian replied, shrugging.

Albus opened his mouth, then hesitated, wringing his hands.

"I stole the vial you gave back to Scorpius. I watched it and put it back in his bag without him knowing."

Dorian's expression hardened. His lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyelids tightened. He seemed to struggle to keep his calm, his cheeks flushing red.

"If he finds out what you did, he won't forgive you," he said in a cold, measured voice that contrasted with the anger brewing inside him.

Albus nodded, staring into space. He nervously ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek.

"I thought it was about James. I didn't expect that."

"That's no excuse."

"I know..."

"No, you don't know anything!" Albus flinched. Dorian looked him up and down, a sneer of disgust on his face. "Who do you think you are? I waited so long for him to tell me what happened, and you stole that memory from him. Damn it!" He kicked the seat in front of him, running a hand nervously over his lip. "I wish you hadn't told me. Now you're forcing me to lie to him!"

"Don't lie, just avoid the question."

"Damn Potters. I knew getting involved with your lot would only bring trouble!"

"If you could stop comparing me to James, that would be great." He rubbed his hands together nervously. "So, what do we do?" he asked softly.

"What do you mean, 'what do we do'?"

"Draco Malfoy must have this guy's address or some references…"

"Whoa, slow down!" Dorian raised both hands in front of him, then leaned forward. "You're not doing anything, damn it! Nothing! As long as Scorpius doesn't talk to you, you don't know anything."

Albus ran his tongue over his lip, irritated.

"What's his name?"

"Don't start," Dorian growled, threateningly.

"I just want to know…"

"Stop it, now." His voice was low and hissing. "You and your hero complex need to calm down. Scorpius didn't ask you for anything. If you want to pick a fight with someone, your brother's probably somewhere on this train."

"So, we're doing nothing? Are you kidding me?"

"No, you're doing nothing. I have an advantage over you—he wanted me to know. So, you let me handle it. You make sure he has a happy Christmas and help him forget these last few awful months. Is that too much to ask?"

Albus didn't have time to respond. The compartment door opened.

"Why was the door locked?" Rose asked, her arms full of candy bags. Scorpius followed her, his hands just as full.

"Some kids were playing with exploding balls," Dorian replied, standing to help her with the bags.

"Oh." She blushed as he approached her and took some of the sweets from her hands. She quickly looked away. "Here, Albus, candy canes!"

Albus grimaced.

"Thanks, but my stomach can't handle candy right now."

She shrugged. "You shouldn't have drunk so much."

"You weren't doing so great two hours ago!"

She blushed a little, but didn't flinch.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said in a prim tone.

Dorian slowly turned toward her, a mischievous smile on his lips.

"I know what he's talking about," he whispered, sliding the candy cane between his lips.

Rose gulped and took a step back, nearly tripping over Scorpius's feet as he sat on the couch.

"I... I'm going to see if Lily and Hugo want some candy," she mumbled, hurrying out of the compartment.

Smiling, Dorian watched her leave while Scorpius and Albus burst into laughter behind him.

The train whistled twice, announcing its arrival at the station. They had taken refuge at the end of the carriage, ignoring the students crowding into the corridor. Albus had pressed Scorpius against the wall of the train, trapping his body against the panel. No space remained between them. His hands on Scorpius's hips, and his forehead resting against his, Albus gazed into the blue-grey of his eyes, rubbing his nose against his, pulling a light laugh from the rose lips that he quickly kissed. He heard some whistles from around them, but he ignored them. Scorpius did the same. His hands on Albus's arms, he pulled him even closer, his lips whispering in his ear.

"I'm going to miss you," he said, then caught Albus's earlobe between his teeth, tugging lightly.

"Don't do that," Albus breathed, pulling away.

Better not awaken the excitement if they couldn't go any further. He leaned in to kiss him again, and Scorpius wrapped his arms around his neck, intensifying the kiss that lasted an eternity. Their tongues were still caressing each other's when the train came to a complete stop, and the door opened, breaking their kiss. They waited for the train to empty a little, without letting go of each other. Out of breath, with red and damp lips, they grabbed their trunks and stepped off the train.

Scorpius quickly spotted his father and waved to him. Dorian was already by his side. He turned to Albus and smiled.

"See you in three days," he whispered before joining his family.

Albus watched him walk away until he heard his father calling his name. He turned and saw his parents, along with Ron and Hermione Weasley. All the kids had been picked up. He was the last one. He hugged his father, then his mother, and they headed for the parking lot.

"Happy to be on break?" their father asked as he got into the car, looking at his three children in the rearview mirror.

"Happy it's Christmas!" exclaimed Lily, sitting in the middle seat between her two brothers.

"Be happy we're just heading home first," said Ginny, buckling her seatbelt. "Christmas is still three days away."

"Three days is so long!" Lily groaned as the car started.

Albus sighed, staring out the window at the passing scenery.

"Yeah, three days is long," he muttered.

End of Chapter 27

For more chapters quickly (free!): My P.a.t.r.e.o.n: TiffanyBrd

I'd love to write more about Dorian and Rose… I think I'm going to end up doing it… What do you think?