Music for writing:Quoi - (Jane Birkin) - Vincent Delerm & Cali

Between the main course and dessert, they had left the table.

Scorpius had insisted on escaping the "Potter-Weasley crowd" that had invaded the entire house, and Albus had not been hard to convince.

There were just too many people at that table, and too many people getting involved in everyone's business. Overall, the guests had been courteous to him, but the politeness felt hollow. He wasn't fooled. When Angelina greeted him, Fred Weasley tensed and hesitated before shaking his hand. At the mere sight of him, Ronald Weasley had turned an unhealthy shade of red before regaining a somewhat human color, all without saying a word. His "hello" had been more of a grunt followed by a nod. Albus had been outraged, but Malfoy didn't care. Arthur Weasley had been almost comical. He found himself in front of Scorpius without knowing how to react and couldn't get a word out. Twice he opened his mouth, only to close it again, then smiled and awkwardly patted Scorpius on the head with a sheepish grin, as if the boy were five years old, before rushing off to greet his eldest son who had just arrived.

During the aperitif, tongues had loosened, and a few awkward comments had been thrown their way, with phrases like "the courage of their relationship," "in a difficult context," "their love rising above the past,"and on and on.

"Oh, come on, for Merlin's sake, we're not in Romeo and Juliet!" Albus had finally snapped, visibly irritated by the overly tolerant and hypocritical comments.

Angelina had jumped at his remark and quickly changed the subject to the latest Quidditch match, which brought unanimous praise for Scorpius' performance.

Malfoy had responded to the remarks with a shy smile. Drawing attention to himself always made him uncomfortable, but in this case, the feeling was even more intense. He couldn't help but try to decipher every look sent his way. He didn't go unnoticed. Though he hadn't faced any outright hostility, he was sure that one wrong move could spark a disaster. He understood this from the hesitant and suspicious way some family members shook his hand, eyeing him up and down with suspicion.

Evan and James were laughing loudly at the table, getting along well, but that didn't stop Dursley from giving Scorpius sly winks whenever their eyes met.

"My dad was wondering if you're with Scorpius out of rebellion," Molly said to her cousin in the middle of the meal.

"Out of what?" Albus asked, stabbing his quail with his knife and cracking the small ribs.

"Rebellion. He says that during adolescence, children reject their parents' model, and being with Scorpius fits into your process of defiance. Just like being sorted into Slytherin."

Clearly, Percy Weasley didn't understand a thing and continued to overthink the simplest matters.

"It has nothing to do with my dad. I'm in Slytherin because I'm a cunning, ambitious snake who loves playing dirty tricks." He lowered his voice and leaned toward the young girl. "And I'm with Scorpius because he's got a nice ass."

Malfoy choked on his piece of meat at those words, even more so when he saw Molly Weasley's horrified expression.

They had slipped away before dessert and had gone for a walk in the snow. The icy air bit at their faces and hands.

Albus shoved his hands in his pockets and lowered his head to shield himself from the wind.

"It's going pretty well, don't you think?" he said, glancing at the boy beside him.

Scorpius gave him a look that clearly said, "Do you really think so?" — a bit exasperated.

"Your Uncle Ron keeps glaring at me. So does your grandfather."

"If it were only them..."

"They're the least discreet."

Albus bit his lip and lifted his head. He knew the boy was right; Scorpius wasn't universally accepted, but Potter had never sought his family's approval. He took Scorpius' hand in his, feeling how cold his skin was.

"Come on, let's head to the cabin."

"The cabin?"

He led him through the snow to the back of the house, toward the tool shed. Albus kicked away the snow blocking the door and tugged on the wooden door, which finally gave way. Scorpius followed him inside. The shed was small but tidy, the tools perfectly arranged or hung on the wall by type and size—almost obsessively organized. Nothing was lying around on the wooden workbench.

Albus, warmed by the stronger-than-usual Christmas beer, grabbed Scorpius' hand. He closed the door behind them and pressed him against the dry wooden wall.

"What are you doing?" Scorpius gasped as Albus kissed him, capturing his lips while wrapping his arms around his waist.

He deepened the kiss, pressing his body more firmly against Scorpius', and in one swift motion, lifted him to sit on the workbench, ignoring Scorpius' gasp of surprise as their lips parted.

"Wait," Scorpius murmured, "It's too cold in here!"

"I'll warm you up," Albus whispered, opening his coat. He kissed his neck, sliding his tongue over the skin, feeling Scorpius' heartbeat under his lips.

"Don't undress me!" Scorpius said as Albus slipped a hand under his sweater, but the boy pressed him against the wall, pushing his hands away.

He kissed him again, pinning his head against the wood, preventing him from moving. He tightened his hold, almost suffocating him. Scorpius wrapped his arms around his neck, moaning into his lips as Albus parted his legs with his knee.

Trembling, Scorpius pulled him closer, and the friction of their two swollen members through their clothes began. Scorpius threw his head back at the first touch, clenching his teeth to stifle his moans. Albus slid his hands over his hips, gripping them to keep him at the edge of the workbench and press their bodies even closer together.

The movements became unbearable, a delicious torture, but too many clothes were in the way. With flushed cheeks, Malfoy pushed him away, breaking their contact before sliding his hand between their bodies and undoing the button of his trousers. Albus held his breath as Scorpius' fingers wrapped around his erection, making him tense and convulse, immobilizing the hand that held him.

Scorpius smiled.

"Who's the one lacking endurance tonight?"

"I've wanted you for days!" Albus replied, his body tense, trying to control himself.

"Well, you have me now," Scorpius whispered.

Albus couldn't hold back any longer and pushed him higher on the workbench, shoving him roughly against the wall before climbing up beside him. Scorpius tried to kiss him, but Albus pushed him back, flipping him over and grabbing his hips to position him against his. Feverishly, he unbuttoned Scorpius' trousers and yanked them down, along with his underwear, to mid-thigh. Scorpius didn't have time to protest as Albus covered his body, seized his lips, and grabbed his erection, squeezing it in his fist, swallowing Malfoy's moans between his lips. A pale hand found Albus' length, and Potter bit down on Scorpius' lower lip, panting. Their members collided repeatedly, drawing gasps from both as their hands gripped tighter and tighter.

Suddenly, Albus let go and grabbed Scorpius' wrist to make him do the same. He leaned over him, aligning his hips with Scorpius', and, skin to skin, thrust his hips against him in sharp, precise movements. Scorpius threw his head back, his eyes rolling.

He couldn't feel the hard wood against his back and shoulders, only the white-hot pleasure where their skin collided. He thought he was screaming, but he wasn't sure. Albus kissed him, biting his flesh, pulling at the skin between his neck and shoulder. Scorpius clung to him, yanking at his sweater, digging his nails into his back and neck.

His clothes tightened around his legs, trapping his thighs that he wished he could spread wider.

The movements became more violent, and Albus grabbed his hips, squeezing them hard, holding him in place. He cried out in his release, spilling between their bodies. His heart pounding and breath heavy, he climbed higher on Scorpius' body, resting his forehead against his, locking eyes with him, and grabbing his erection.

Scorpius gasped his name, but Albus didn't loosen his grip. He squeezed his fingers, focusing on Scorpius' face: his swollen, red lips, flushed cheeks, dilated pupils, and labored breaths mixed with moans, half-stifled by clenched teeth.

Potter wanted to see it all, to watch Scorpius lose control, surrender, and unravel under his gaze and in his arms.

Too soon, he felt Scorpius' body tense, and his nails dug into his shoulders.

"Kiss me," Scorpius begged in a faint, pleading voice, and Albus took his lips, muffling his cry of release.

He let go and collapsed onto him, crushing his chest as it struggled to rise and catch its breath, savoring the frantic heartbeat beneath him.

They lay there, breathless, panting, their hair sticking to their foreheads with sweat.

Hours or minutes passed before Albus sat up to look at his lover. Yes, his lover, his alone.

"You drive me crazy," Scorpius said before kissing him, and Albus smiled against his lips.

They stayed like that for a few more minutes, but they didn't have much time. Someone would surely come looking for them.

"We should get back," Scorpius whispered.

Albus nodded reluctantly and pulled away. The cold returned, and he shivered. He opened a drawer on the workbench and took out a cloth, handing it to Scorpius. The boy looked at him, puzzled.

"You know we can't use magic here," Albus said, tossing him the cloth. "Don't worry, it's clean."

Scorpius wiped his stomach and thighs, then fastened his clothes, and Albus did the same. They left the shed, huddled close together, and came face-to-face with another pair.

Evan stood right in front of them, looking surprised. Beside him, James seemed just as perplexed.

"What were you doing in there?" Evan asked.

"Nothing," Albus said, but his voice was hoarse, and he cleared his throat before continuing. "I was just showing him the tools in the tool shed."

The smugness was clear in his tone, along with a sense of pride, as he eyed the two in front of him. The situation and Dursley's suspicious gaze amused him.

"We came for firewood," Evan finally said, brushing past Albus, deliberately bumping him as he did. Behind him, James ignored them, and Albus seemed almost disappointed, perhaps expecting some reaction from his brother. That guy never let anything show!

Arm in arm, they headed back to the house. Several times, they tried to knock each other into the snow, turning simple shoves into a playful wrestling match on the ground. When their hands were frozen, they finally decided to go inside. They were still laughing when they saw Harry Potter appear at the door, his face serious.

"Your father wants to speak to you."

Again…Scorpius stopped smiling, and his stomach twisted painfully. He entered the house and followed Harry to the fireplace in the study upstairs. He thought Albus was right behind him. He knelt before the fire and waited for his father's face to appear in the flames. He didn't have to wait long; Draco appeared, his features drawn. Scorpius could hear voices, footsteps, and other sounds he couldn't quite interpret.

"Hey," Scorpius whispered.

"Good evening."

His smile was quick and weak.

"Is everything alright?" Scorpius asked. "There's a lot of noise behind you."

"I'm at St. Mungo's."

Scorpius stopped breathing, his throat tightening.

"Why?" His voice was shaky.

"Dorian got into a fight with his father. He's been hurt."

Scorpius gasped and opened his mouth, but his father interrupted him.

"Don't come back, it's unnecessary. He'll stay under observation tonight. I'd prefer you stay with the Potters. I'll come pick you up tomorrow night if all goes well… or the day after."

"You can't keep me away forever, you know!"

"I'm not trying to keep you away, but there's nothing to be done at the moment. We won't be able to see him either. They're going to put him to sleep… to make the bone regrowth less painful."

Scorpius closed his eyes slowly, trying to stifle his fear and anger.

"What happened?"

"I'll explain everything when you get home. I'd rather you stay with the Potters. Don't worry, I'm taking care of Dorian."

"There's nothing serious, you swear?"

"Yes, nothing serious. Well… not anymore."

Scorpius nodded slowly, more to reassure his father than out of real conviction. He didn't want to add his own anger and frustration to Draco's shoulders.

Outside, Albus waited, leaning against the wall. He had heard what Draco had said, and while he was happy that Scorpius would stay a bit longer with him, the circumstances cast a shadow over his stay.

When Scorpius came out of the office, he seemed not to see him. His brow was furrowed with worry. Albus wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him close, resting his head on his shoulder.

"I'm going to kill him."

Potter jerked in surprise. Scorpius' voice was calm, as if he were stating the logical conclusion to an arithmancy problem. Albus understood that he was talking about Theodore Nott.

"No, you're not going to kill him," Albus whispered, brushing his lips over his hair.

"Yes, I will," Scorpius said, stepping back. His head tilted, fists clenched. "Yes, I'm going to kill him, you'll see!"

Albus felt fear rise in him but pushed it away. He couldn't be serious—he couldn't mean it.

"What good would that do? Dorian will probably stay with you now, and his father won't have any rights over him anymore. You're angry. Think about it—it's not what you want, and it's certainly not what Dorian wants."

"Dorian doesn't care what happens to that madman!"

Albus took his face in his hands and made him look at him.

"I was thinking more about you being locked up in Azkaban for life. He wouldn't want that. And neither would I."

A noise drew their attention, and Albus let go of him. Rose stood in the hallway, followed by Hugo, both watching silently.

"Sorry," Rose said, clearing her throat. "We came to get you for dessert."

"We're coming," Albus replied quickly, hoping to send his cousins away, but Rose stepped closer.

"Is something wrong with Dorian?" she asked softly, her cheeks flushing red, but she continued, "I overheard your father talking about him with my parents in the kitchen. They said he was hurt and had been transferred to St. Mungo's. Is he okay?"

"I don't know," Scorpius answered without looking at her. "They won't let me in to see him."

Rose crossed the hallway and hugged him. Once again, Scorpius was touched by the gesture, but this time, he wondered if it was Rose who needed consoling.

"It's going to be okay," she whispered, and he wondered if she was talking to him or herself. "Maybe I should send him something?" she asked next. "A note and some chocolates. It's pretty awful to spend Christmas in the hospital."

"Why would you want to send him something?" Hugo asked, his tone sharp.

Rose let go of Malfoy but kept her hands on his shoulders and turned toward her brother, her eyes narrowing.

"It's none of your business."

Hugo clenched his teeth but said nothing more.

"He'd probably like that," Scorpius said quietly, stepping out of Rose's embrace. "He'd surely appreciate it if you sent him something."

He pulled away. Suddenly, he wanted to be alone for a few minutes. He headed toward the bathroom.

"Go on ahead, I'll join you."

Albus made a move to follow him, but Scorpius shook his head, signaling that he needed to be alone. Albus nodded and descended the stairs back to the dining room, where the noisy laughter and chatter continued.

Malfoy entered the bathroom and turned on the tap, letting the water fill the basin before splashing it on his face, repeating to himself over and over that everything would be fine, that Dorian would soon be back on his feet, and that scumbag would never set foot in their home again. He wouldn't go near Dorian anymore, he'd make sure of it. He could protect the people he loved too. He didn't have the muscles, but he certainly wasn't lacking in intelligence.

It was only when he looked up at the mirror that Scorpius realized he was being watched.

"What are you doing here, Weasley?" he asked, turning around.

Standing tall in the doorway, Hugo didn't look concerned or uncomfortable. His eyes were locked on the boy as he advanced toward him.

"What's going on between Nott and my sister?" he demanded.

Scorpius had no intention of revealing anything. He didn't know much himself. The very idea of starting a conversation with Hugo disgusted him. He had never trusted him, and ever since Dorian had told him that Hugo was the one who had led them to the Gryffindor dormitory when James and he were caught, he had definitively labeled Weasley as a "troublemaker."

He grabbed a towel and finished drying his face and hands.

"As she said, nothing that concerns you." He stood in front of him, looking him straight in the eyes. "Mind your own business for once, it'll make a nice change."

When he tried to walk around him, Hugo grabbed his arm and shoved him back. Scorpius raised his hands, signaling that he had no intention of fighting. Hugo wasn't tall and had an average build, but he didn't want to start a fight in Harry Potter's bathroom.

"Watch yourself, Weasley. Despite my size, I've had the chance to take down guys bigger and stronger than you. Now let me through."

"You shouldn't be here."

His voice was clear, but the tightness of his jaw betrayed a barely concealed anger.

"Charming," Scorpius replied with a shrug. "I can't stand you either. Now that we've said it, move away from the door."

Hugo didn't budge and stepped closer to Scorpius, who refused to back down.

"You think I haven't seen your little game?" Hugo hissed, almost in a whisper. "You've managed to fool everyone here, but not me."

"I don't know what you think you know, Hugo, but you're talking nonsense. I haven't fooled anyone, and I have no ulterior motives regarding your family. The only person I care about is Albus."

"You have a funny way of showing it. How long were you going to string him along before I intervened? Did you think you could have Albus while still screwing James?"

"You don't know what you're talking about!"

Weasley's gaze darkened as he stepped closer.

"But that's exactly it, Scorpius. I don't care about your life. But you and your kind have no place in our world."

Each word was laced with disgust and anger, but Scorpius wasn't afraid.

"It's up to Albus to decide."

"He hasn't been himself since you came to Hogwarts. I don't like what he's become since he's been with you."

"Because he's more himself?" Scorpius smiled.

"Because you're toxic and you're making him miserable."

"I'll say it again, Weasley, mind your own business! If Albus were so miserable, I wouldn't be here today. The only reason you're intervening now is because you know we've been together for weeks, that everything's going perfectly, and you can't stand it!"

"Is that so? The last time I saw him at the library at Hogwarts, he looked devastated, so don't tell me everything's fine! You're corrupting him with your filthy practices, and you don't even realize it. And I won't let my sister go through the same thing with Nott!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me, keep pretending you're innocent! I saw him researching weird, twisted stuff that can only exist in your messed-up world."

Scorpius felt his nerves fraying, and he thought hitting Hugo to calm himself down might not be a bad idea.

"I don't know what you're talking about, and you're starting to tire me, Weasley. So either explain yourself clearly, or get out of here before I lose my temper."

"Oh yeah? You don't know what I'm talking about? Albus was looking up something in the dictionary, 'Pygmalionism' or something like that."

Scorpius froze, feeling bile rise in his throat, and Hugo smirked triumphantly.

"Ah! So you do know what I'm talking about after all."

"When?"Scorpius asked, his voice low and menacing, his head bowed.

"When what?"

"When did you see him in the library?"

"What does it matter... Hey!"

Scorpius grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall, using all his weight and anger to hold him there. His fingers clenched the neckline of Hugo's sweater, pressing into his throat.

"Think carefully, Weasley, and give me an answer, or I'll knock your teeth out one by one!"

"I don't know! A week before the holidays, let me go!"

Scorpius released him and stepped back, his hands trembling. It seemed like Hugo was speaking to him, but he couldn't hear anything anymore. His mind was blank.

"Damn it, I'm talking to you!"

A hand on his arm snapped him out of his daze, and Scorpius swung his fist, sinking it into Weasley's stomach. Taken by surprise, Hugo fell to his knees, gasping for breath.

"I told you to mind your own business, Weasley."

His voice was dark, filled with hatred. Hugo barely recognized him. Another hit followed, and Scorpius' foot slammed into his ribs. Hugo cried out.

"And that's for ratting us out," Scorpius hissed.

He watched as Hugo struggled to get back on his feet. The sight didn't displease him at all. He could have savored Weasley's pained grimaces longer, but he thought it best to leave before Hugo recovered and decided to retaliate. He walked around him and opened the door. He glanced back one last time.

"No need to tell you that what just happened stays between you and me. Don't you agree?"

And with that, he left.

Alone in the hallway, the question consumed his thoughts. How on earth could Albus know? He hadn't searched for that word by chance. A coincidence? Unthinkable. No, Albus knew, he knew... Scorpius' heart clenched painfully at the thought because only one person knew. It was Dorian. If Albus knew, that meant Dorian had talked. Dorian had betrayed him. The revelation stunned him, leaving him feeling empty and cold.

He shook his head vigorously, trying to clear his increasingly dark thoughts. Nott must have had a reason—he couldn't have revealed what he had seen in the vial unless he had a good reason. Right?

He gripped the stair railing and leaned forward, the bar pressing against his hips, and he swayed gently, letting his upper body and head hang over the void, his fingers clutching the metal. He let himself dangle, his toes barely touching the ground. He closed his eyes and began to rock back and forth slightly, almost cradling himself in the emptiness. James had once asked him what would have happened if Albus hadn't caught him during the match. He hadn't thought about it. Just like he wasn't thinking now about what would happen if he let himself fall over the railing, if he let himself drop...

"What are you doing?"

Albus' voice snapped him out of his trance, and he jumped, his feet touching the wooden floor again. He saw Potter at the bottom of the stairs.

"I'm coming," he said, and he descended the steps to join him.

"What were you doing?" Albus asked again, more firmly.

Scorpius shrugged.

"Nothing, I was just leaning a little, that's all. I was thinking."

Albus grabbed his hand and squeezed his fingers tightly.

"Don't do that."

His voice was firm, like the pressure on Scorpius' knuckles. Eventually, he relaxed and led him away.

End of Chapter 30

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