I'm sorry that I take forever to update y'all. I'm in college and I'm like busy 24/7 but I currently am on Thanksgiving break here in America so I'm gonna try and finish up with the chapters that I need to have rewritten before you guys can get total new stuff that I've never written before for Easy To Hate so let's hope I can get through all of this!

Anyways, this is also posted onto my Tumblr account imnotobsessedwfictionalchracters and my Wattpad somekindofmagic1 and my AO3 account s0m3kind0fmagic so you can check it out on there too!

I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 14. This is a Worthwhile Fight

As Slughorn passed each student, handing them their respective schedules, Albus let out a groan. He couldn't believe it, he actually had to do school in the afternoon. He couldn't just go back to the common room and play games after lunch. He had to go back into a classroom essentially until dinner some days. "Look at this, we no longer have the afternoons off! It's barbaric!"

He watched as Scorpius quickly scanned the schedule, a groan coming from him as well as Annie rolled her eyes. But even as she did that, he saw the small look of grimace that she had herself. "Well, I'm sorry Albus. But at least we have Astrology a little earlier."

He sighed, she was right. Meant that on Thursdays they'd get to get to bed earlier than they had on Fridays the previous year. "That's the only plus Annie. The. Only. Plus."

She rolled her eyes at him, "You're overdramatic Albus."

He smiled at her cheekily, "You love it."

He watched her deadpan, watching her mouth open to speak when he heard Genevieve's voice: "Anne, c'mon."

"Really? Can't wait for what you guys have to say." He saw Annie cross her arms, "Why should I have to? I don't agree with it."

He looked between the two sisters, neither of them had a happy look on their face. "Come on, we have to talk to Liana."

"But it shouldn't matter-"

"Come on."

He watched his friend sigh before angrily getting up, telling him and Scorpius, and he guessed Robyn and Holly as well, that she would be back. He watched as she left the Great Hall, an angry look on her face. He watched as all of the Green siblings walked out of the hall and a heaviness began to weigh inside Albus. He knew what was going to happen. He remembered what Annie had said the night before, about their father going to kill Liana. And from what Genevieve had said and Annie's responses, he knew this wouldn't end well.

He turned back to his friends, all of their faces caused the heaviness in him to grow more. It was like they all knew this would end in an argument. That it would cause a divide in the family. He knew what that was like; being the cause of division. Cause of division based on your house. He knew it and he felt for Liana. Empathized with her side. He knew that she would blame herself. He felt bad for Annie, knowing she could care less about houses, her being friends with him proved it. He even had convinced himself that her siblings didn't either, but he guessed he was wrong. Or maybe they had only been fine with him as he had been put into Slytherin, because they had James Potter's younger brother.

He knew that people thought of him like that. Knew that people wanted to use him as a pawn in their hatred for James and the Gryffindor house. And he didn't like it. Truthfully and honestly. It filled him with anger as he felt that some people didn't actually like him as a person but like the idea of getting back at James.

But with Annie, he knew that there was no way that she would have reacted that way if-

"-Just because I'm not a Slytherin doesn't make me less of a Green!" Everyone looked over at the doors as they heard Liana scream at her siblings.

He, along with others, looked out in concern as Genevieve yelled back: "Yes it does! Everyone with the last name Green has been a Slytherin! It's been that way for centuries!"

"No we aren't! Our Great Great Great Aunt was a Ravenclaw-"

"And she disowned Anneliese! Why do you think-"

"Don't interrupt me Dominick! Just because you're older doesn't automatically give you the right to interrupt me! I would bet 10 galleons that I'm smarter and better than you!"

They only got louder. The professors, McGonagall included, began to stand, to walk down the hall. Everyone watched as the siblings began to argue over her needing to be re-sorted. And through all the yelling and chaos outside, Albus caught James's eyes. He knew...he knew what his brother was thinking. He knew that they were thinking the same. That this would have been how it would have gone if James had gathered the family that was there. He knew that both he and his brother knew that this was how it was between them. Even though they never showed it. Not this publicly anyways.

And it was odd, that as he watched James look away, the feeling that had risen in him. Some type of understanding. Some type of understanding that the two had. That they wouldn't let it get bad enough for any fights to be heard outside of the family.

That they wouldn't needlessly get people involved who didn't need to be and to never get the teachers involved.

But Albus wasn't stupid. He was 12 and a bit idiotic as all 12-year-old boys were, but he wasn't stupid. He knew James and he knew himself. He knew that one day a fight would break out and no one would be able to stop what would happen after.

And if Lily ends up in Slytherin next year? Well Albus knew it would be like the muggle saying: "All hell will break loose."

And maybe that was why he was secretly being selfish and hoping his sister would risk her own self and wish for Gryffindor like Albus sometimes wished he had done. Or that perhaps she'd be placed somewhere else. Placed somewhere, anywhere, but in Slytherin. He didn't want her to get hurt. Not like he had been. He didn't want her to feel what he did. Want her to watch as people she grew up with turn their backs on her just because of her house.

It wasn't until he saw, from the corner of his eye, Annie and her family walking in (well more like being forced back in), that he finally broke eye contact with the Gryffindor table. And he, along with everyone else, stood as they saw Dominick grab Liam before punching him. Albus knew Dominick was aggressive but he hadn't expected him to draw blood from Liam. It caused a small landslide with Derek punching Antonio. It was a shock. Between the two, Albus would have bet that Antonio would throw the first punch. The older boy had that look about him. The messy black hair and piercings with the other jewelry had always given him that idea.

And he had thought that that would be the end, Professor Longbottom taking 50 points each from the two of the boys. Earning a groan from nearly every Slytherin. 100 points, plus whatever they all were sure had been lost from outside. Dominick and Derek were both being pulled out by Professor Slughorn before they heard Professor Pritchard yell and grab Liana and Alexa.

Albus saw Alexa's hair had been pulled out of her braids, glasses had fallen to the ground. He saw the look of anger on Liana's face. A look he had recognized from the mirror. He watched as everyone except Dominick, Derek, and the two girls were pulled out of the hall by their Head of Houses with Professor Longbottom following behind them.

And as they were all pulled out, the students who had remained standing finally sat. Albus finally sat. He finally saw Annie as she sat back next to him. He saw her face, a face he had also seen on himself. And it was a gentle, almost indiscreet thing he did, unconscious even, but he gently caressed her back. Something his mother had done several times for him growing up. He saw her look as she moved away from him slightly and he couldn't explain it but he felt his heart sink.

And although he knew that it was wrong to do, he felt as though he did something wrong.

And still, by the end of the first day, everyone was talking about the fight. Everyone could see how the entirety of the Green family, from Antonio and Derek to Alexa and even Liana at the Ravenclaw, were tense. Annie hadn't spoken at all, Antonio and Derek hadn't been around one another at all (which even though the two of them were never super close they still were twins and it was odd for Albus to not see them around each other). And it was weird for him as Dominick and Derek were with one another, Randy and Genevieve not far from them. He looked at the four with confusion the whole day. He knew that Dominick had some questionable choices from the past but he was still shocked that Randy and Genevieve and especially Derek were by his side. And Alexa was off, over by two of the other Slytherin girls, talking with them most days.

And Albus couldn't put his finger on why, but he was concerned for his friend. Concerned for how quiet she had been, especially as the days followed and she still didn't speak much. He watched her with concern, worried that something else had been said out in that hall or even since then that had gotten her to be that way.

As the first two weeks of school had passed, things eventually started to go back to normal. Well, Albus wouldn't say "normal, normal" but still closer to normal than it was. Antonio and Derek had hardly spoken to one another, along with Liam and Randy, but it wasn't like Albus had cared too much about that. Annie was speaking again. Back to occasionally being difficult to even get to shut up. But even with that, he didn't care. She was going back to normal and things were going back to normal. Normal enough to where she had agreed to watch him and Scorpius (along with everyone else) try out for the Quidditch team.

Albus nervously tapped his foot as he tried to eat while Scorpius just stared at his own food and Annie yawned while laying her head on the table. He saw Antonio sit across from them before he rustled his sister's hair, a short laugh coming from Albus as Annie looked up at him, annoyed almost.

"I will kill you."

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

He watched her push herself back up, seeing the glare she sent her brother, something that almost calmed his own nerves. "I am the idiot who said yes when her two friends asked her to watch them tryout for the stupid Quidditch team."

"Okay, now one, it isn't stupid. And two," The elder boy looked at Albus, "Whatcha going out for?"

"Uh, Seeker."

"Oh please for the love of Merlin let you be good and Matt have a brain! We would kill to have a Potter Seeker on our team! Especially since according to rumors James is gonna be Chaser."

"That's true."

"What?"

Albus nodded, glancing at Oliver Avery. "Yeah. He decided to swap out this year." Albus shrugged, "Couldn't tell you why."

"Maybe he heard you were trying out and then realized that he could never beat you as a Seeker."

Albus laughed slightly at Scorpius's comment, taking a quick bite of his food before shaking his head as he swallowed. "No. He had already decided to change before the end of last season. Before I had even considered trying for the team."

"Either way. Still pretty epic if you make the team."

His eyes darted over to where he heard a thud. Seeing Rohyn's similarly unruly black hair hit slowly lift from the table. "Why in Merlin's name did Matt decide that tryouts had to be at eight in the bloody morning? It's too early for this."

Almost everyone at the table murmured in agreement. "Agreed."

He saw Antonio stretch before sighing, "Anyways, I'm sure you three guys will be fine. Anyone who has played with or against you Rohyn knows you're a bloody good Keeper. Matt making everyone try out aside, we needed a Keeper with Aidan graduating last year. Plus, we were down a Chaser so Scorpius has a chance. Granted some people might be better but they're older. For both of you. But I'm pretty sure Matt wants younger blood. Blood he can mold and will stay on the team for longest. And then Albus has Quidditch royalty really. I mean his-"

Albus rolled his eyes, stopping Antonio, doing the spiel himself. "Yeah, yeah, I know. My mother was Ginny Weasley. One of the best Chasers the Holyhead Harpies had seen in ages, played both Chaser and Seeker while at Hogwarts. And then my father is Harry freakin' Potter. The youngest quidditch player in a century. Playing for the Gryffindor quidditch team in his first year. I know. Everyone loves to remind me."

Antonio raised his hands up, "Sorry, but all I was saying is that it would be weird if you didn't play. Or at the very least were shite at it. I mean, how much of your family either plays or used to?"

Albus shrugged his shoulders, before looking up and thinking. "Four of my Uncles, Charlie, was a Seeker, Fred and George were Beaters and Ron was a Keeper. Then my Aunt Angelina, who was a Chaser, my parents, my dad's dad, who played both Chaser and Seeker apparently. Last year it was James, Fred, and Vic and then last I knew, Rose was trying out this year so she'll probably get in, then, if she does, that'll be another one. And I mean, it is an extra one if you count Teddy."

He saw as Antonio was counting his fingers. "I would count him, you always say he's basically a second brother. So, let's say Rose doesn't get on the team, that'll be about 11 and then with Rose it would be 12."

Albus shrugged, "It's a lot. I dunno why basically everyone in my family plays." He rubbed his nose, "But what you guys?"

Antonio motioned to Annie, "Of us here at Hogwarts, who recently left, Anne here is the only one who doesn't play."

Albus looked at his friend, who looked like she was about to fall asleep. "Why don't you play?"

She shrugged lazily. "Don't have the will to. Don't find it fun really. I mean, who actually finds the thought of possibly falling off of an object up in the air and breaking several bones, getting concussion, as well as all of the other things that could happen. I don't see the appeal of it. I'll watch it, enjoy it while doing so even, but with my ability to get hurt easily, I don't even try.

"Whatever." Antonio shoved a piece of toast into his face and looked at the three second years and spoke after he swallowed, "Knowing Matt, he'll want us there ten minutes before tryouts actually start. He's so big on the whole 'early is on time, on time is late, and late you're off of the team' idea. So, if you do make the team, I'm sure he'll give that spiel to you but I'm just forewarning you."

Albus looked at Antonio, almost incredulously. "Really?"

Nodding, Antonio continued, standing now. "Yeah, his sister, Charlotte, she's always late to events and it's funny cause it's not their parents who get mad at her, no, it's him. Like, Aunt Millicent and Uncle Goyle could care less about punctuality as long as you aren't dramatically late."

"Couldn't imagine that."

"It's normal in our families. They hate tardiness. That's why Anne is always late."

Annie snorted, "Actually, no. I'm always late because I have no sense of time and I refuse to get a watch."

Albus sighed, "Well, maybe we should head out."

Scorpius nodded, "He's right, we should. Plus, we all have to put on the tryout uniform, which Al and I do not have."

Antonio nodded, "Very true. Alright, let's head down. You'll be good by yourself Anne?"

She nodded, "Yeah, I'll be fine."

Her brother nodded as the four boys got up and made their way. Albus stopped before turning and looking at his friend, smile on his face, fist out. "Wish me luck?"

He watched her roll her eyes but still tap her fist against his. "Luck."

He continued to smile before turning and making his way back over to the other three guys. His heart was pounding as he pretended that he wasn't more nervous than he was at the sorting. He tightly held his hand in a fist as he silently walked with the other Slytherins but the silence freaked him more so before he even thought of it, he just spoke out: "Why does everyone call your dad Goyle, Rohyn?"

"I dunno. I think they always have. I think that's the norm in my family. Or...at least it was until my parents had us." He laughed, "I sometimes wonder if people even know my dads name."

Albus glanced at his friend, realizing he didn't know Mr. Goyle's first name. "You know what, I actually don't know it. What is it?"

"Gregory."

Scorpius snorted, "I could never imagine calling him 'Uncle Greg' or 'Uncle Gregory,' it just sounds so bloody wrong."

Albus laughed with Antonio and Royhn. The eldest sighed as they neared the pitch, "Is there really anyone else that we do this to? That we don't call by their first name, always last?"

Things went silent as the three boys with historically Slytherin families thought. He glanced between them, thinking about it for himself, but knowing that he never did that. He watched as they each shook their heads.

"I don't..." Rohyn started, "I can't think of anyone that we do this to except for my dad."

"Yeah...me either. It's kinda weird in all honesty."

Albus nodded in agreement, but before they really could say anything, they entered the tent and Albus felt his stomach in his throat. Unsure if he could do this after all as he saw the people who had shown up. All older. All with, he assumed, more experience. What little confidence and faith he had in himself faded, thinking that if he would make any team, it would be the reserves, but he knew deep down that he wouldn't make the team.

Either of them.

But as he watched the other players tryout, he realized that maybe he wouldn't have too much to worry about. Matt had called for Chasers first. He watched as each group barely were able to even do what Matt had asked of them. The only one that was a splinter of talent was the one Oliver Avery was on, and even then the talent and ability to play was only from him. Albus began to wonder if it wasn't so much as captain or just Dominick being a shitty player as much as it was that no one in Slytherin house knew how to play.

A few more groups went before Scorpius finally did. He was with another second year, Jordan Boles, who Albus identified as after a few moments. He didn't know the other person. He was sure that they were a third year but he didn't know their name. Not really at least. Not confidently enough to just say it and feel like he was right.

He watched the three of them run the drills that Matt called for them. As he watched, he knew that the third year he couldn't name was out. The kid could hardly play. But when it came to Jordan and Scorpius, Albus couldn't see who would be better suited for the place. He nervously bit his lip for his friend. He liked Jordan and he hoped, selfishly, that if Albus didn't make the team then Jordan did and not Scorpius. But he hoped that if he did make the team, that Scorpius would get the Chaser position. He knew it was selfish and he really didn't care.

"Jordan is good, but not reliable."

Albus looked over at Oliver Avery. "What?"

"I know you're thinking that it's between Scorpius and Jordan, but it isn't. At least I don't think so. Look at the three of them," He watched as Oliver pointed out at the people in the sky. "Martin can't hold the ball, Jordan isn't trying to pick up the slack but Scorpius is. He's not playing as one player but two." Albus watched and saw what Oliver was talking about. "My bet is that Chaser's will be me, Scorpius and Matt. Jordan will definitely make the reserve team though. But I think he'll be the only one. Which isn't good to have, but at least it's better than it's been in the past where we didn't even have a reserve."

Albus nodded, hand nervously gripping the school given broom. Matt had given everyone one. Made the playing field even. Everyone had the same broom.

"Seekers are next, Potter."

Albus nodded, he knew it. He saw the list momentarily when he had passed Matt earlier. Saw it say Chasers then Seekers and then Keepers before ending with Beaters. He didn't know the order that Matt would be going in so he nervously looked around as the Chasers came down. He watched as Matt wrote some things down and Scorpius came over. He didn't hear what Oliver said to his friend, he just watched Matt, waiting to hear who he called first. And a breath that was almost a breath of relief left Albus' mouth as neither of the two names were his.

He watched the kid nervously fly up and Albus watched and knew that he was at least better than him. And then the second kid wasn't too different. He knew that neither one of them would make it. Seeker was the most dangerous positions to be. Everyone thinks that it's Beater but anyone who plays the game knows it's really the Seekers that are in more danger. You have to avoid the bludgers that the Beaters send to try to take you out. Even if you get the snitch, it won't help if you don't have a high enough score. You'll either still not win, tie, or barely win and not get the extra points to help in winning the cup.

And he watched as Matt blew the whistle with neither boy getting the snitch.

Dominick was next up, with third year Roy Harper. He watched the two of them play. Roy was good. Not as good as the choices had been from the other three teams but he was better than Dominick. And he watched as it appeared Roy almost caught the snitch a few times. But he knew that the whistle was about to be blown, just as Roy caught the snitch.

Albus squeezed his fists. He knew that he was next. It was only him and one other person standing there for Seeker. He wasn't sure how this person was. He knew that, if anything, it would likely be between him and Roy. He hoped that maybe he was good enough to get put on the team, but he knew that if it wasn't true, he would be on the reserves.

And honestly that felt like it was more than what Albus thought that he deserved.

But he was knocked from his head as Matt called his name. His name and Fabien Hightower's. He didn't know that kid. Not well. Albus looked at Matt as he explained the rules:

"Treat this like a normal game. Catch the snitch. Whoever does it first is who I'll consider for the position. If neither of you can catch it then it's game out. You won't win us the game by not catching the snitch, especially if we have less than 150 points over the other team. You two understand?"

Albus nodded and he was sure the other kid did too because Matt blew his whistle and Albus knew that it meant to take off. He tossed his leg over the broom and pushed off. He got high up, about to the top of the stands. He closed his eyes, remembering something that his dad had told him once when playing at home.

Albus stood nervously as he looked at his dad. It was the first time that they were letting him play as Seeker instead of Chaser and he was nervous. Albus wasn't sure how to play Seeker, not really. But his dad was smiling at him softly. "Now, all you have to do is catch the snitch. Do it before your brother does. But wait until your team has a high enough lead against his, alright?" Albus nodded, mentally noting everything his dad was saying. "And even though we don't have them here, in the real setting, go up to the top of the stands. I always found it was easier to see from there."

Albus rubbed his nose, "What about here?"

"Top of the Burrow. Before the chimney, though. The top of the roof. Right," He felt his dad move him to look at a certain point before he pointed his finger somewhere specific. "Right there, alright?" Albus looked at his dad and nodded. "Alright, now go win that game."

Albus nodded and ran over to where Rose, Vic, and Teddy were waiting for him.

Albus' eyes opened and he quickly looked around, somehow immediately finding the snitch. He immediately leaned forward, quickly flying to the golden ball. Grabbing it, catching it and feeling the wings flutter around his finger as Matt blew the whistle, signaling their time was up as he caught the snitch.

The 12-year-old boy had a smile on his face as he came down. Confident enough that he did good. Confident that he made the team. Even as he saw Rose leaving the stands out of the corner of his eye. Even as he knew she was about to report back to James. He felt confident that he made the team.

Albus sat by Scorpius, nerves hitting him again. But they were different. They weren't for him. He was more nervous that he had made the team and Scorpius hadn't. That he had made it and Scorpius hadn't. He hadn't seen Rohyn, having come back to the tent to shower as it was what Matt had told him. Which was something he didn't really get why he did. Afterall, he barely broke a sweat. He understood why the Chasers and then the Keepers and finally the Beaters did. But he didn't know why he ended up doing it.

He watched as Matt came out of the back area that he assumed as the Captain's office. He stared, nervously clenching and unclenching his fist. A nervous habit he had recently gotten, a habit he was sure wasn't going to go away anytime soon. He listened as Matt began to read off the list of those who didn't make either team. It included everyone who Albus had thought. A smirk even fell on his face when Dominick's name was called out. But it was replaced with an eyeroll as Dominick began to throw a fit over it.

"I made the list, with the help of your brother Dominick. And unfortunately for you, a third and a second year did better than you. Now get out before I make you. And I think we both remember last summer when you tried this shit."

Albus looked between the two boys, a sigh of relief that he didn't know he had left his lips as the Green brother angrily left the tent. He turned his attention back to Matt as he finished off the names of those who didn't make it. A small sound of people talking started as everyone realized that this meant they either made the main team or the reserve.

But they all quieted down as Matt began to speak. "Alright. Now, the 13 of you left here either made the main team or the reserve. Six of you will be there for as many games as your body can handle while seven will be there when either myself or one of the other six members cannot play. This is not a game of favorites or whatever you may think, I went based on talent. Understood?"

Everyone nodded or made noises of agreement. And Matt nodded, looking at the clipboard again. "Now, as I call your name, take the jersey that fits you and has your last name on it. Alright, this year's Beaters are Antonio and Liam Green." Albus looked, he hadn't even noticed that Liam was there and he saw the angry look on Derek's face. "Derek Green and Tony Higgs are on reserve. Keeper is Rohyn Goyle with his reserve being Andrew Montague. Chasers are me, with Oliver Avery returning and Scorpius Malfoy joining." Albus looked at Scorpius with a smile on his face while his friend stared in shock as Matt listed off the names of the reserve players for Chasers. "And finally, it is my pleasure to tell everyone that Albus Potter will be our Seeker for this year."

Albus felt his air catch in his throat. He was the Slytherin Seeker. He had done it. He really had done it. He couldn't believe it. Sure, he has ended up being confident but he was also so sure with the way that his life had been going that he wasn't gonna make the main team. So it came to him as a shock that Matt actually called his name as Slytherin's next Seeker. He stood and almost sort of stumbled over to where the jersey's were. A small smile fell upon his face as he saw the number "6" looking back at him. Six had been his mum's number. He had been sure that he would have gotten "7" like his dad and brother, but he was happy to see the number six looking back at him. Afterall, it had been the number he had always seen in photos and on the jersey that hung in the back on his mum's closet.

"Alright, for you guys on the main team, practice Monday, Wednesday, Friday after dinner with Saturday's if there isn't Hogsmeade or a game. I expect each and every one of you there. You can only get out if you're stuck in the Hospital Wing or detention. Otherwise, I expect you all to be here every night."

The stern, Captain look fell from Matt's face and was replaced with a smile. "I'm excited for this year's team. I think we can do a lot of good. Especially with you three second years. You're young and I can mold you into the perfect players to make sure Slytherin wins."

"And with a Potter on our team, we already have an advantage."

Matt nodded, "Something I do want to take advantage of. You're good Potter but you still need some work. I know how the Hufflepuff's Seeker is and he is good, better than James was. Hufflepuff in general has been a powerhouse in Quidditch for a few years. But Hufflepuff is our last game so I am sure that with hard work and dedication, we can win it with us getting the snitch and still having a high lead. Or maybe their luck ends with Victoire Weasley now gone. Either way, we can do this. And either way, you guys are free to go."

Albus nodded and grabbed all of his things before turning to head out with Rohyn and Scorpius. And almost as soon as they stepped out of the tent, they saw all the girls standing out there. Holly squealed in excitement as they stepped out and he heard her say something about him being on the team but he saw Annie just sitting there and staring off in the distance. He carefully walked over to her and put his hand onto her shoulder. "You alright?"

He watched her blink a few times before tilting her head. "What?"

And he repeated himself, "I said are you okay, you seemed spaced out."

"Oh yeah! Sorry, I was just thinking." She smiled, "So, did you make the team?"

"Yeah! So did Scor and Rohyn!"

She punched his shoulder, "Killer, maybe now we'll have a chance at winning a game."

He laughed as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, almost already guiding her. "Yeah, maybe. But c'mon, lunch has already started and I'm hungry."

He heard her laugh and knew that she rolled her eyes, despite not seeing it. "Of course you are."

He tossed his head to look at her and smiled at. She smiled back and he led the way as they made their way back to the school and to the Great Hall with the hope that there would be food for him to eat.