Music I listened to while writing : Matrix Theme - Clubbed to Death (MCTR Remix)

"Everything started that day," James had said to him, and Albus had felt anger surge through him instantly. A burning anger that never truly left him, that seemed dormant most of the time, yet always threatening.

"Everything started that day"... As if it had all been his fault. Or perhaps... as if it had all happened thanks to him? Each would judge his role in the whole story.
But at the memory of that day, of that evening, Albus still felt a gentle bitterness wash over him. It was before the disappointments, before the betrayals. It was before everything changed.

Was it all his fault? Perhaps. But he regretted nothing.

It was supposed to be a successful dinner, a family outing to a new French restaurant. It was Harry Potter's idea. He had gathered the whole family for one last evening together before the "children" returned to Hogwarts the following Monday. For this occasion, he had reserved the central round table.

Albus was seated there, talking with Rose and occasionally bickering with James while the whole family enjoyed the dinner.

James and he were talking about Quidditch. Since they supported the same team, the Screaming Vultures, the discussion was civil and calm, a rare occurrence as the two Hogwarts house captains often argued about past matches.

"They're going to beat the Thorns this year," James said, helping himself to another butterbeer.

"We said that last year too," Albus replied, grabbing the bottle from his brother's hand, seeing that he was determined to empty it.

"No, this year is the one, you'll see Al," he said with a smile, "and this year Gryffindor will embarrass Slytherin and send them back to their dungeons."

"You're kidding, right? I'm captain this year, I'll be making the team. And you can be sure I'll train them to counter all your techniques. I know them by heart."

James scrutinized his brother with his dark, gleaming eyes. This was no longer fun for him. He loved winning too much.

"Don't you know the concept of brotherly ethics?" he asked coldly.

"Hey, James, it's up to you to recycle your techniques if you don't want to get countered. And you'd better do it, or you'll be humiliated in front of all Hogwarts... and the Wizarding World," he growled, "since learning that we're both team captains, the media will be happy to be there."

"The media are always there, Al," said James, nodding toward the restaurant windows.

Albus turned and paled.

Journalists and photographers were crowding behind the windows. The sound of flashing cameras was relentless.

"I can't take it anymore," he despaired. "They drive me crazy. They're always spying on us and for what? For stupid headlines in gossip magazines like 'Harry Potter and Family at Restaurant, Exclusive: James Potter Loves Soup Starters.' Merlin, what a scoop!"

"Calm down, Albus," said James, placing his hand on his brother's shoulder. "It's the price we pay for being Harry Potter's sons. Once you figure out how to handle them, it opens a lot of doors and it's pretty entertaining."

"Easy for you, you're the 'celebrity' type," said Albus, laughing.

"Ouch!" said James, giving a light punch on the shoulder of the younger boy with black hair.

"No kidding, you handle them better than I do. I can't stand them anymore. I wish they'd disappear. You know three magazines contacted me again to do an interview for them, with exclusive photos of course."

"And what are you going to talk about?"

"I don't know ! They want to ask my opinion on life at Hogwarts, on other students, on youth. I'm perfect, didn't you know ? They want me to be perfect," said Albus bitterly, "because I look like Dad."

"Are you still thinking about that photo? It's been over a year, Al. You got caught smoking a Muggle cigarette. So what? Big deal... Move on," said James, visibly annoyed with his brother.

"Some people said I was a bad example for their children, James," Albus fumed. "And they wanted me to make a public apology. Worse, most accused my friends of having a bad influence on me. That's a lot for a simple Muggle cigarette!"

"I know, but you have to deal with it. You're a public figure. Use it."

"Oh yeah? How? By having a different girl on my arm every Saturday night like you?"

"That helps calm the rumors that I'm also sleeping with boys," he shrugged.

"But the truth..." Albus began.

"The truth doesn't matter," James said, exasperated. "Give them what they want." He pointed to the window, indicating the journalists. "Or just fake it. And do whatever you want behind their back. Just don't get caught, and that's all."

Albus said nothing more. Freedom didn't exist for him. He had to avoid scandals for the sake of his father's reputation, and he knew every move was scrutinized.

He raised his hand and called the waiter.

"Sir, do you need anything?"
"Yes, I know it's unconventional, but could you close the curtains? We'd like to dine with more privacy," said Albus, indicating the photographers still pressing against the windows.

The waiter smiled and agreed before signaling other servers to help close the red curtains.

Albus finally breathed freely. He was about to resume his conversation when noises from the entrance hall caught his attention. The main door of the prestigious restaurant opened, and loud laughter echoed from the hall. Many heads turned to see who had entered the establishment so rudely.

Dorian Nott entered, a big smile on his thick red lips. He was holding Scorpius Malfoy's hand and led him into the main room. He wore a gray suit with a loosened black tie and a black shirt. His brown hair was messy, with longer dark strands in front partially hiding his bright eyes. He had probably been drinking. He was still handsome, from his shiny shoes to the fine but distinct scar running across his left eye.

In black shorts and gray boots, Scorpius Malfoy wore a thin white shirt with the last buttons open, revealing a navel piercing adorned with a silver scorpion.

When they entered the main room, Dorian's smile slowly faded as his eyes met familiar faces and the furious looks of strangers. Defiantly looking at the Potter-Weasley family, he wrapped his left arm around Scorpius's shoulders and signaled the waiter.

"A table for two, please, away from these people if possible."

Scorpius, impassive, waited for Dorian to finish arranging the reservation when his gray eyes met a pair of beautiful green eyes staring intensely at him. Recognizing the young Potter, he quickly looked away and focused on what Dorian was saying to the waiter.

Albus was troubled. He had never seen Scorpius Malfoy up close. The Malfoys had not returned to the Wizarding World for a long time, and he had only seen Scorpius rarely, mainly in Dragon Alley. But Dorian was always with him, and he had never been able to talk to him. Yet, since he was ten years old, Albus Severus Potter had been obsessed with Scorpius Malfoy, by his manifestation of freedom, by his eccentricity.

Scorpius was known for his antics, both in the Muggle world where he had lived for six years and in the Wizarding World. It was fascinating to see how the absence of the Malfoy family had inflamed the British media, eager to spy on their every move, so that the Malfoys had known at least as much constant and invasive media attention as the Potters. It worsened upon their return.

But while they endured similar intensity of notoriety, the newspapers treated them very differently, never in a flattering light. Yet Scorpius seemed totally indifferent to the image he projected, and Potter envied him for that freedom.

When he thought of him, it gave him the strength to allow himself to be young, irresponsible, and alive. But never, never had he been able to talk to him. And he wanted to do so before going to Hogwarts.

He watched them talking to the waiter when Scorpius pointed to a secluded, intimate table.

The waiter led them to the designated table, and Albus took the opportunity to admire the two young men. Scorpius's beauty had earned him a few contracts with Muggle photographers and designers. By accident, of course, Malfoy hadn't asked for anything; everything was due to him. The mockery had grown after the first photos, but Albus understood why he had been approached. Scorpius was very graceful, at ease in his movements. He seemed unreal, too pale, too thin.

"Well-bred inbreeding," some might say, but Albus hated that prejudice, like all the others. Despite his assured step, he seemed uneasy as he crossed the grand room where all the wizards present were staring at him intently.

Albus was still watching him when Rose interrupted his reverie:
"How could he say something like that in front of everyone? He was hostile even though we don't know him!"

"Dorian Nott is known for his difficult character. He's hot-tempered," explained Teddy. "Except when he's with Scorpius. That kid acts like a sedative for Nott. Luckily they're always together. Dorian could quickly become violent."

"With what he's been through, it's not surprising," said Harry.

"In any case, Minerva will have a lot of trouble with that one when he's at Hogwarts," said Ron.

Albus wondered what his father meant, but Harry didn't say anything more on the subject. He noticed that James hadn't taken his eyes off Malfoy and Nott.
Why did he look so furious?

Albus was about to ask him, but the servers arrived with the main courses, and James took the opportunity to start a conversation about Hogwarts with Rose and give tips for the classes they would have this year.

The restaurant had returned to calm after the notable entrance of Dorian and Scorpius.

Murmurs filled the crowded room, interspersed with the clinking of porcelain and the muffled steps of the servers. Guests could delight in the luxurious decor of the establishment. The ceiling was gracefully crafted, a sculpted work adorned with flowers, stars, and phoenixes, culminating in a large chandelier made of crystal and multicolored glass in the middle of the room.

The scarlet red carpet, just like the velvet chairs, gave a muted charm to the large room. Candles were burning everywhere, brilliant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and golden candelabras were placed on the white tablecloths of all the circular tables in the restaurant. Heavy crimson curtains covered the windows, hiding the outside world.

Still seated at the central table, the Potter-Weasley family began their main course. The table, worthy of a king, managed to hold the entire "Great Family"; a rare thing in a luxurious restaurant.

Albus wondered if this immense round table was a grandiose originality of the restaurant or if the room had been reorganized to accommodate the Great Harry Potter. Albus didn't know. What he did know, however, was that the number of waiters assigned to them was ridiculous. He had counted: Two for taking orders, two for serving drinks, four for serving the dishes, and two waiters loitering nonchalantly near their table in case a Potter or Weasley needed... bread? Or to know where the bathrooms were? He had no idea.

Lost in his thoughts, he was persistently poking a grilled shrimp on his plate.

James, both annoyed and amused by his brother's behavior, sharply jabbed his elbow into Albus's ribs.

"I don't know if you know, but it's already dead," he said, nodding toward Albus's plate. "I don't think prodding it with your fork is going to change anything."

"Sorry? What are you talking about?" Albus asked, disoriented from his reverie.

"Your big shrimp."

"Prawn."

"Whatever - it's a big shrimp, but let's move on - why are you mutilating it?"

"I'm not hungry anymore, that's all."

"At the price of this restaurant, you could make an effort..."

"Do you want my plate?"

"No, your shrimp mush looks unappetizing."

What an idiot, Albus thought, he's doing it on purpose!

"You're getting on my nerves. Leave me alone."

"What's bothering you?"

"Nothing, I'm thinking about something."

James leaned closer to his brother and whispered with a smile: "Would that 'something' be blond with long slender legs?"

Albus stared at his brother, then turned to his left and looked into the distance, toward the intimate table near the wall where Dorian and Scorpius were busy emptying a bottle of expensive French wine while waiting for their starters.

Nott was refilling the boy's glass, who laughed softly, asking him to stop. Dorian didn't listen and smiled at him, leaning forward on the table, shortening the distance between them, looking at him intensely.

"You're imagining things," said Albus.

James ignored the comment.

"They seem pretty close," he said indifferently, quickly transferring Albus's prawns to his own plate with his fork while his brother's back was turned.

"Apparently..." replied Albus absently, not taking his eyes off the "couple."

"It'll be interesting to have them at Hogwarts. Interesting and amusing. They must be Slytherins, right? Like the rest of their family. I don't know how McGonagall agreed to take them in the fourth and fifth years. It's a first. Your shrimp are really good!"

"Hey!" exclaimed Albus, realizing that James had taken three-quarters of his plate and transferred it to his own. "I thought it was mush?"

"It doesn't change the taste," replied James, his mouth full. "I thought you weren't hungry anymore. Have some of my fries, I have too many."

"No, thanks..."

"You know," said James slowly, "I've heard that Nott is good at Quidditch..."

Albus looked at him, then took a fry from his plate before adding:

"What do you mean by "good"?"

"Talented... the kind who could be captain of the Slytherin team," added James with a wicked smile.

"That would be the last straw..." sighed Albus.

"You can't stop him from playing if he makes the team," said James.

"Maybe he won't want to play at Hogwarts."

"That's true," said James, smiling. He leaned toward his brother. "But you know," he added softly, "if he plays with you this year, we'll do everything to make sure you lose."

"That won't change anything from usual."

"Yeah, but it could get bad." James looked around to make sure no family member was listening to their conversation.

Uncle Ron and their father were discussing the latest case they had been assigned as Aurors. Aunt Hermione was talking about the new reform she wanted to implement to free the House-Elves with Grandmother Molly and their mother. Lily and Hugo were listening to Uncle George talk about his adventures at Hogwarts while Rose tried to dissuade them from acting the same way, and George's wife laughed while listening. Teddy was talking to Grandfather Weasley about his new position at Hogwarts as a Charms Professor.

"Listen," James continued, "Nott despises our family. It's bad enough that you're in Slytherin, but if you bring in your team the guy who snubs us in public, throwing his hatred in our faces... I'll demolish you. You're my brother, but the pride of the Potters comes first."

Albus burst out laughing. But he wasn't amused at all. It was totally absurd. James was way too serious, and he had never heard his brother make threats against anyone; it wasn't his style.

"The pride of the Potters? That's ridiculous. And how is being a Slytherin shameful? My being in Slytherin doesn't bother Dad. Nor Aunt Hermione, for that matter. But you guys have your heads filled with the prejudices Uncle Ron put in your heads."

"Uncle Ron didn't put anything in my head. I've lived at Hogwarts long enough to know the Slytherins. I'm not saying there aren't any decent people in your house, but there are more bad ones than elsewhere. And if Nott and Malfoy join, that'll be even truer."

"Stop insulting me and my house! And it's the same for Nott and Malfoy, you don't even know them!"

"They don't know us either, and look at Nott's reaction when he saw us! Their minds are poisoned by their families. By the Malfoys. Nott spends a lot of time with them, right?"

"Malfoy isn't like that."

James averted his eyes from his brother and murmured: "He's the same, if not worse."

Albus was surprised by his brother's reaction and said nothing. To him, James had always been a sociable and well-liked boy. He perceived him as an open and tolerant person who didn't care about the old grudges of the war. Now he didn't recognize his brother, this hateful and suspicious young man.

"Don't get close to them, Al," James added. "They're popular like rich kids with notoriety and connections are. But at Hogwarts, some people don't appreciate their arrival. You wouldn't want to find yourself on the wrong side if things get heated."

"And you're one of those people, James?" Albus asked softly, even though he feared knowing the answer.
James smiled but didn't answer. He checked his watch and stood up.

"Are you leaving, James?" asked Harry Potter, watching his eldest son call the waiter to ask for his coat.

"Yes, I told you, Dad, I'm going to the opening of a new club and taking Kristine."

"Your girlfriend's name is Kathleen, James!" said Albus.

"Yeah, maybe, whatever," his brother replied, walking away.

"Very classy, cousin!" said Rose reproachfully.

James turned and blew her a kiss before leaving the Great Hall.

"Oh, that boy," sighed Harry tenderly.

"When you change girlfriends every week, it's hard to remember their names," laughed Ron.

"I don't let him bring them home anymore. I'd like him to bring one he's serious about," sighed Ginny.

"It's hopeless," added Harry.

"He's still young, give him time. He's not old enough for a serious relationship," said Hermione.

"Remind me how old you were when you were with Krum?" asked Ginny.

"Hey!"

"Calm down, Ron. There was nothing serious between Krum and me, barely a kiss."

"I think Hugo and I have heard enough, Mom," exclaimed Rose.

The adults burst into laughter.

"Youngsters refuse to believe their parents were young once," said Hermione, looking at her daughter with affection.

James's departure forgotten, the conversations resumed at the table. Albus was discussing Potions class with Rose, which they would have this year with Professor Slughorn. He was trying to forget his brother's words, which was difficult because Albus was convinced that James's threats were not empty...

"It would be interesting if you and I had Potions together. But it's rather rare for that class to be between Ravenclaws and Slytherins," said Rose.

"Who knows? Maybe this year will be the year we have the most classes together and thus the most classes where I can copy off you."

Rose gave him a dark look.

"Or simply benefit from your infinite knowledge and ask for your advice," Albus corrected.

Rose started to laugh. "I'll let you copy a bit, you know that."

"Good thing you're not completely like your mother."

"Leave my mother alone, Al," she said, affectionately hitting his arm.

Albus adored his cousin, his intelligent and "human" cousin (as Uncle Ron said). Yet Albus knew she would have preferred he be in Gryffindor. They had never talked about it, but she was one of those who had asked McGonagall to change his house. She had probably feared he wouldn't fit in among the Slytherins.

When Albus had declared that he wanted to stay in Slytherin, Rose didn't intervene in the matter anymore. But his cousin was still the subject of cutting remarks from Uncle Ron, Uncle George, James, and sometimes even Ginny.

The most difficult moments were the Quidditch matches, when James and he faced off against each other. The Potters and Weasleys then had to decide which team to support and in which stands to sit to watch the match.

Ginny had decided that they would sit in the Gryffindor stands for all the matches, out of habit since most of them had been Gryffindors... out of habit, she said…

Albus hadn't been angry, but maybe a little hurt.

But he felt alone, terribly and painfully alone, at school, as at home, despite the presence of his large family. He was always like a stranger among them, always different.

It was for this reason that when he heard that the Malfoys were back and that Scorpius had been admitted to Hogwarts, something had changed for him. Maybe with Scorpius, he could feel... less alone.

And he didn't know why he felt that way, but the feeling had never left him.

The discussion about Hogwarts continued. Hugo and Lily had joined the conversation and were asking their elders for information about their third year at Hogwarts. Albus participated in the conversation but couldn't help glancing over at Nott and Malfoy's table.

They were on the main course, but neither of them had really eat it. They had started a new bottle of wine. Dorian was talking and Scorpius was listening. But the topic of the conversation must not have been pleasant, as Nott had a dark expression and Scorpius was leaning back in his chair, arms and legs crossed. He wasn't looking at Dorian. They weren't arguing, but they weren't in agreement.

Scorpius suddenly got up and excused himself to Dorian before heading towards the toilets. Dorian called the waiter. Probably to ask for the dessert menu, as the waiter began clearing their plates.

Albus suddenly stood up.
Dorian wasn't with Scorpius. Scorpius was alone. This was the moment.

Rose looked at him in surprise:

"Where are you going?"

"To the bathroom," Albus replied, hurriedly.

"Wait, we're getting the dessert menu."

"Order for me !" he called back over his shoulder as he quickly made his way towards the bathrooms.

Too quickly ! Control yourself !

He cast a quick glance at Dorian, but he hadn't noticed, busy leafing through the menu. Albus arrived at the door and stopped. He quickly ran his fingers through the black locks of his tangled hair, trying to comb it a bit.

Then he took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

End of Chapter 1

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