The Slytherin Common Room - Match Celebration

Scorpius was trying to make his way through the crowded Slytherin common room, past the various people congratulating him, calling him crazy, or offering him drinks.

Upon his arrival, the team had lifted him up in triumph and tossed him into the air several times, much to the dismay of his stomach.

For now, he was talking to a tall, charming blonde seventh-year with a huge, bright smile who was standing a little too close to him while they talked.

Edward Hudson or Hatson, or Andrew… Scorpius couldn't remember exactly. Not that he cared. When the boy offered to fetch him another drink, Malfoy smiled and nodded—even though his glass was still full—and slipped away as soon as the guy turned his back. The last thing he wanted was to be harassed by a compulsive flirt.

Unfortunately, he found himself face to face with Albus. The boy stared at him calmly, as if he had been watching him for a while. His eyes were glazed over, intensifying the reflection of their color. Black jeans and a white shirt with an open collar gave him a sophisticated appearance that didn't suit him.

A fancy look... Scorpius tried to ignore the rush of warmth that started in his chest and settled in his stomach. That unbearable knot appeared whenever Albus's eyes were on him.

"Is it him?" Albus asked, nodding toward the tall blonde guy with no name.

He was leaning his weight against the wall, and the way his head bobbed slightly made it clear the alcohol had been flowing for several drinks now.

"Himwho?" asked Scorpius. He was relieved to hear that his voice was neutral.

He wondered if he should have ignored him and walked away, but where could he go, anyway? The Slytherin common room wasn't big enough to avoid the boy forever. He lifted the glass to his lips, catching a hint of rum. The punch wasn't supposed to be alcoholic, but Slytherins had their ways.

"The guy you put between us." Albus leaned in, bringing his face closer until Scorpius could feel his warmth without being touched. "The one who's fucking you."

Scorpius immediately recoiled and couldn't hide a grimace of disgust.

So, that's the tone, he thought to himself. Might as well be blunt.

"No." He drained his glass in one gulp, the burn in his throat less harsh than the one in his heart. Liquid courage.

Putting on his best venomous smile, he continued, "I thought you had moved on. Rumor has it your girlfriend's going to deflower you tonight, isn't she?"

"It's already done."

The answer caught him off guard. Albus had said it with indifference, no emotion, no pride. It was just a fact: he had slept with a woman.

Scorpius felt his heart skip a beat, and nausea rose to his throat. His confidence slipped away, vanishing entirely.

"Oh. Congratulations. I hope it was to your liking."

This time, his voice trembled slightly, and, to his horror, his eyes were starting to water. He looked away before Albus could notice, focusing on a random spot in the crowd, trying to feign indifference. But he was disgusted, simply disgusted. Fantasized images suddenly tormented him. Albus's sighs, her moans, her fingers in his black hair, those beautiful green eyes devouring her as he made love to her…

"Scorpius!" He looked up to see the tall blonde he had been trying to escape a minute ago. "I didn't see you leave. Here's your drink."

Maybe he's not so useless after all,Scorpius thought, taking the cup from him, noting how the boy's index finger brushed his in the process. Normally, Scorpius would have shoved him away without hesitation. But he felt numb, disgusted.

"Do you mind? We were in the middle of a conversation."

Andrew or Edward turned to Albus slowly, as if just noticing him. He towered over Albus by almost a head and was much broader. Confident in his size, he smiled with disdain, stepping closer to give Albus a clear sense of their difference.

"I don't think he was enjoying your conversation."

Albus let out a short laugh and pushed the guy, who nearly stumbled, his steps unsteady from several drinks.

"You can shove your impressions where I think!"

Scorpius took a deep breath and shook his head. He grabbed his drink and downed it in one go, then snatched Andrew's (or Edward's) and did the same. Straight whiskey. Another burn.

Albus grabbed his hand, the one holding the glass.

"Hey, slow down!"

Scorpius couldn't stifle a small cry of pain as the contact pressed on his scratched and injured skin.

"Screw you," he replied in a low, rough voice, pulling his arm free. With disdain, he gestured to Albus's clothes with a casual wave of his hand. "Is this why? This outfit? It's for her, isn't it? A spotless white jacket, black shoes, and perfect jeans?"

Albus opened his mouth, but then closed it again. Andrew or Edward chose this moment to slip away.

"You're ridiculous," Scorpius muttered, holding the boy's hurt gaze.

"Because I wanted that moment to be special? That's what's ridiculous?"

"Hey! Scorpius!" Linz Carlson and Aaron Briani were approaching, their faces distorted into wide, drunken grins.

"Did Albus tell you?" Carlson continued. "The pre-matches are canceled, the captains decided to draw lots. Our next match is against Ravenclaw!"

Scorpius wanted to scream that he couldn't care less and that the match would happen without him even being in the stands to watch. But he didn't want to explain why he was quitting the team, especially in these circumstances. He'd end up infuriating the fifty people in the room and wouldn't be able to escape their questions.

"Why cancel the pre-matches?" he asked, surprisingly calm when he felt on the verge of shouting.

"You made a sensation! The spectators want real matches. They're pissed that this one was only a selection, because... well... You were incredible!" Scorpius couldn't help but smile shyly at the boy's enthusiasm. "So just imagine what it'll be like for a real match!"

"It's great, isn't it?" Briani added, giving Malfoy's shoulder a light tap, and Scorpius nodded automatically.

"Yeah, it's great."

"We're going to grab more drinks," Carlson announced, pulling his friend along with him. "Want anything? Another..."

"A sweet rum.

"Got it. Albus?"

Albus declined the offer with a polite wave of his hand, and the boys headed toward the stash of spiked punch and illicit bottles.

Scorpius could feel Albus standing behind him. He felt empty, a cold calm tightening around him, forcing him to hold back.

"You didn't tell them?" he asked, turning around.

Albus shrugged.

"I thought it could wait." He raised his glass, gesturing to the loud, laughing people in the room. "We're celebrating a victory. No need to tell them you're quitting the team."

"I'm not changing my mind."

"You could have told me."

"And why would I? Yesterday, you yelled at me, and the time before that, you threw me against a wall..."

"Oh?" Albus's gaze dropped to the floor, tapping his fingers against his glass. He bit his lip—a sign of frustration that Scorpius knew well from the Potters. When Albus looked back up, his eyes were dark. "And didn't you deserve it?"

Scorpius wanted to hit him. He had just slept with his girlfriend, and now he was blaming him for being with someone else. The room felt too small for both of them. Scorpius brushed past him, shoving him slightly. But Albus didn't give up and started following him.

"Why are you leaving now? Is someone waiting for you?"

Scorpius stayed silent. Deciding to stick close to the wall until he reached the exit, he tried to weave through the partygoers, even stepping over the legs of a couple sitting on the floor, kissing.

Near the fireplace column, he felt Albus pull him back.

"Let go of my arm!" he growled without raising his voice.

"Answer me!" Albus insisted, his voice trembling now, the alcohol heating his blood.

"I have nothing to say to you."

Albus let out a slightly crazed, drunken laugh that choked in his throat. He ran his hand through his hair.

"It drives me crazy. It makes me insane. I've spent the whole week resisting the urge to snoop, to open the letters in your bedside drawer. I didn't do it!" he said, raising his hand as Scorpius was about to speak. The boy closed his mouth. "But I could have. All the times I thought you were avoiding me... I could have looked."

"I wasn't avoiding you."

"I know... I saw you this morning... You were training with Dorian. Why with him?"

"Because I'm a coward," Scorpius admitted, feeling no shame. "And because I'm arrogant. I wanted to win this match for you, but without you having any part in it, without enduring your training. And because I couldn't stand the way you looked at me."

Albus suddenly moved closer. He grabbed Scorpius's wrist, carefully avoiding his injured hand. He caressed the skin with his thumb and licked his lips, his eyes fixed on the hand holding his arm.

"Maybe we can do things right this time?" he murmured, looking up, gazing at the boy softly. From his hand, he could feel Scorpius's heart beating against his wrist, the pulse quickening under his touch.

"Do things right?" Scorpius repeated, shaking his head.

The idea seemed absurd to him; he didn't understand. Was Albus suggesting they forget everything? The thought tempted him. He had done everything to say goodbye, to rid himself of him. But the idea of feeling his warmth again made him feel like he was sinking.

"Come with me," Albus said, pulling him closer, but Scorpius resisted.

"Where?"

"To the dormitory, we need to talk about all of this," Albus insisted, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Please, Scorpius. Please."

Malfoy looked at the hand touching him, acutely aware of how much he enjoyed the contact, how much he had missed that warmth.

"Hey!"

Albus let go of Scorpius's wrist. Katelyn Davies had just appeared at his side, wearing a soft, shiny blue dress, and she wrapped her arms around him. Scorpius stepped away from the couple. At that moment, when Albus released him, he wished he could disappear.

Albus remained still, surprised by the arms suddenly around his neck.

"Hey, you."

She stole a kiss from him, which he didn't return.

"Kate, what are you doing here?"

"I came with Rose from the Ravenclaw Tower," she said, nodding behind her. Scorpius spotted the young girl.

"A real pleasure," muttered Rose Weasley sarcastically toward Malfoy before whispering a "congratulations" in his ear and hugging him.

His heart hurt so much that he barely felt Rose's arms around him. Feeling his hesitation, she squeezed him tighter, and Scorpius eventually returned the embrace. A soft, vanilla scent. He liked her perfume; he genuinely liked this girl. He was glad she was there at that moment.

"Sweetheart, you should button up your shirt," Kate said, fastening the top buttons near his throat, a charming smile on her full lips. "You've got a hickey showing on your neck."

Albus's face flushed red. Rose rolled her eyes before pretending to gag. Scorpius couldn't even manage a smile. Even pretending to feel anything was too much. His gaze remained fixed on her.

"Scorpius!" she exclaimed as if suddenly noticing his presence. "Congratulations!"

She grabbed him in a tight hug. He couldn't believe it. She was hugging him... And to top it off, she was taller than him! He felt thin and fragile against her curves, stiff against her softness. He could even catch the scent of Albus lingering in her dark hair.

He met Albus's stunned, helpless gaze over her shoulder. Next to him, Rose looked furious.

She finally let go of him and looked at him from arm's length, her fingers gripping his shoulders, a gentle, almost maternal smile on her lips.

"We were all really impressed by the match. Especially after the hospital and everything... I didn't expect you to make such an impact."

"Really?" Scorpius asked, without much conviction.

"Of course. It was unexpected! A week ago, you could barely stand, and the past few days you've looked like a ghost. We even bet you'd fall asleep and fall off your broom during the match!" She laughed, and Scorpius remained expressionless. "But at least now we know what to expect. Our match should be amazing!"

"I'm quitting the team."

The statement cast a chill over the conversation. Albus made a disapproving, disappointed face, which Scorpius ignored.

"Really? But why?" she asked.

Scorpius shrugged.

He wanted to scream that she had won. That Albus was hers, that this match was his farewell gift, the end of that indescribable thing that had been so strong, so imperfect, and sublime, something neither of them had ever put into words. He wanted to cry out that he couldn't go on being around him without having him all to himself, and that she, this perfect girl, had taken the only man he had ever desired.

But it wasn't true. She wasn't responsible for anything. It was him. It was his fault.

And that powerless shrug summed up his despair, though no one would ever know.

"On the other hand, maybe it's for the best," she finally said.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes. I mean... You can't play like that every match."

"Katie," Rose interjected.

"No, I mean it," the young woman insisted, casting a quick glance at Rose before turning back to Scorpius. "Albus is the captain. It's not his job to catch you every time you fall. You'll have to get used to that."

Scorpius felt as though poisoned needles were stabbing into his heart.

"Katelyn!" Albus finally spoke. "What's wrong with you?"

"I'm serious. As a captain, I wouldn't accept a player acting like that without consulting me first."

"Who's to say it wasn't a strategy?" Rose cut in.

Katie rolled her eyes. "A strategy? He's been skipping practices all week! Everyone knows that. Honestly, Albus, until the last minute, you weren't even sure he'd play in this match. Isn't that true?"

"I think Dorian is waiting for me," Malfoy interrupted, cutting off Albus, who was about to respond or confirm his girlfriend's statement. He didn't know, and he didn't want to know.

He walked through the crowd like an automaton. He thought he heard Rose calling after him, but all he wanted was to get out of the dungeons.

He wanted to find Dorian, find a lot of alcohol, and get drunk on top of the Astronomy Tower. Maybe even jump into the void... for the second time that day!

At some point, he wasn't sure when, in the middle of his run to the tower, he started sprinting, pushing his lungs to the limit. He barely registered the portraits telling him to slow down, but he ignored them. He ran up the moving staircases, nearly missing a turn when one detached from the wall, forcing him to jump to avoid falling into the void. He bumped into others on the stairs.

"Hey, watch it!"

"Sorry," he mumbled as he dodged around them.

"Wait, Scorpius?"

He turned back. Two young people with red hair were staring at him. He hadn't recognized Lily Potter and Hugo Weasley.

The girl continued, "We're going to see Albus to congratulate him. Can you give us the Slytherin password?"

Scorpius caught his breath for a moment, thinking over the request.

"Coincidence, I need the Gryffindor password."

Little Potter frowned, reluctant. The old distrust between lions and snakes was legendary.

"I don't think Dorian's in the tower," she said flatly.

With her bratty attitude, she almost reminded him of James...

"I need it anyway, and I'll check for myself." Seeing her hesitation, Scorpius resumed climbing the moving stairs. "Otherwise, you'll just have to wait at the dungeon entrance until someone decides to come out. I'll do the same in front of the tower."

He pretended to leave, and the little redhead called him back.

"Fine, fine," she said begrudgingly. "We'll exchange passwords."

He whispered the Slytherin password in her ear, and she did the same for the Gryffindor one. Just as he was about to leave, the staircase shifted again, pulling him away from the tower entrance and trapping him on the steps with Lily and Hugo.

He cursed under his breath. Every delay pulled him further from his goal for the night: finding Dorian and drinking enough to forget everything for a few hours. That's what he wanted more than anything—forgetting. How long had it been since he'd had a moment of respite when his heart wasn't bleeding? He was exhausted from feeling so raw all the time since setting foot in this cursed school.

"Great match," someone whispered in his ear.

Scorpius jumped and turned to see who had spoken—Hugo Weasley. He stared at him, not thinking to thank him. The smug smile at the corner of his mouth irritated him. He'd worn the same expression the day before when he had caught Scorpius with James. The boy was scrutinizing him unabashedly, his eyes roving over him as if trying to solve a puzzle or reveling in a discovery already made.

Clearly, apart from Rose, Scorpius hated the Weasleys.

As soon as the staircases stopped moving, Scorpius resumed his dash.

The Gryffindor common room was curiously empty, and almost tidy. Only the fire in the hearth illuminated the space.

"Where are all the lions?" Scorpius asked two second-years coming down the tower stairs.

"They're in the kitchens. The house-elves are preparing a defeat feast for us," one of them said, ignoring her friend's whispered, "Careful, he's a Slytherin."

"Are you looking for Dorian Nott?"

Scorpius resisted the urge to ask how she knew. It was obvious—he wouldn't come to the red tower if not to see Dorian. Their reputation preceded them.

"Do you know if he's in the dormitory?"

"No, it's empty. I think only James Potter's there."

"Oh. Okay, thanks."

He waited until the door closed and stood there alone, in the middle of the common room. He let out a small grunt of frustration, cursing himself for hesitating like this. He turned toward the entrance to the tower, then reconsidered and froze again in the center of the room. He lifted his hands, inspecting the deep scratches on his palms and fingers.

Exhaling loudly, defeated, he finally decided to climb the stairs to the dormitory.

James was sitting by the window in the tower, one leg dangling into the void, the other folded on the ledge. One hand held a book while his other arm stretched outside, his fingers playing with the icy wind. He seemed engrossed in his reading and didn't notice he was being watched.

Scorpius hesitated for a moment before stepping through the door, wondering if he could scare him enough to make him fall from the tower. But that wasn't why he had come.

"What are you reading?" he asked without any preamble.

James looked up, surprised to see Scorpius in the Gryffindor dormitory.

"Dorian's not here."

"I know," Scorpius said softly. He entered the room and walked along the beds toward James. "What are you reading?"

Potter hesitated, then closed the book to show him the cover; gloved hands holding a pair of forceps and a fine, pointed knife.

"It's a book on Muggle medicine," he explained.

"You really want to be a healer."

"I told you." He placed the book on the bedside table near the window. "What are you doing here?"

Scorpius bit his lip, uncertain. He didn't really know. But he couldn't find Dorian, and he didn't want to be alone.

"My hands hurt," he said simply, showing his damaged palms.

He expected James to brush him off. But instead, James got up from the windowsill, took his wand from his back pocket, and approached him. He gently took Scorpius's hand and applied the wand, murmuring a spell so softly that Scorpius couldn't make out the words. He healed him, wound by wound.

"What you did in the match was impressive," James said, focused on his task.

Scorpius didn't respond. James let go of the healed hand and took the other, gently applying the wand to the next wound.

Hesitant, Scorpius reached out with his free hand, grabbing onto James's shirt.

He watched James, who wasn't looking at him. He felt the boy tense at his touch. His fingers slid over the fabric, his vision blurred, and his breathing quickened. A strange fever began to numb him, and he slid his hand under the shirt, brushing past the belt buckle, touching James's skin, his stomach. The boy shuddered under his touch. His scent made Scorpius tremble, so similar to his brother's.

It's James, he reminded himself. It's James, don't let your heart hurt. Albus isn't here, and that's for the best.

James let go of his other hand and awkwardly placed his wand behind him on the nightstand, before wrapping his arms around Malfoy.

His breathing was heavier now as he tugged on Scorpius's tie and hastily unbuttoned his collar. He pressed his face into Scorpius's neck, nipping at the skin, kissing his throat, jaw, and cheek, inhaling his scent. A moan escaped Scorpius's lips, and he ran his fingers through James's hair, letting the boy's hands slide up his shirt to caress his hips.

"Why did you come here?" James whispered, continuing to touch him, his hands moving up Scorpius's back, pulling him closer. His warmth was intoxicating. Scorpius felt the heat of excitement spreading, flowing down into his belly and even lower.

"Last time wasn't bad," he sighed, feeling himself harden against James.

It was true. He had enjoyed the masculine pleasure, something he had never experienced before. The desire and passion that consumed him, harsh and without compromise.

"And the times before?"

"No. You're not screwing me again."

James pushed him back, holding him by the shoulders at arm's length. He stared at him, his gaze hard.

"Are you messing with me?"

Scorpius shot him a cold, haughty look, so different from the passion that had filled him just moments before.

"I hate it. I've always hated it." He pulled away from James's hands. "But if you don't like it, I can leave."

James grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

"Stop, it's fine."

He gently pulled him in again, wrapped his arms around him, and held him close. He pressed his lips to Scorpius's. Scorpius flinched under the kiss, feeling lost for a moment, unsure. He didn't want feelings, just pure, indifferent pleasure.

"Don't kiss me," Scorpius murmured, pulling away from the kiss.

"You're starting to piss me off!" James said, pushing him back. He was furious. He sat down on the bed, seeming to think.

"What are you waiting for?" Scorpius sighed impatiently, his hands on his hips.

"It's your turn to come to me." Scorpius frowned, but James continued, his voice rough, deep. "I'm tired of always being the bad guy. If you want it, come get it."

He lay back on the bed and picked up his book, convinced that Malfoy would back down. But to his surprise, Scorpius tore the book from his hands, tossed it to the floor, and straddled him. He pressed his hips against James's, thighs squeezing around his waist, hands planted on either side of his head. A new game of heated domination was beginning between them.

"Hurry up, James," Scorpius growled, visibly annoyed that he had given in.

Potter laughed at the boy's frustration but didn't move.

"No, no, no, it's your turn to do the work."

Scorpius let out a groan of frustration.

"You're asking too much. It's not worth it."

"Wait." James grabbed the thigh that Scorpius had lifted and pulled him back down onto him. He sighed, gazing at the body above him, and dug his fingers into Scorpius's hips, pressing their lower bodies together. "We do this together, okay?"

Scorpius nodded softly as the fever returned, and he began unbuttoning James's trousers.

Slytherin Common Room

When Dorian Nott and Ross Finnigan passed through the dungeon door, they were greeted by boos, which they ignored without hesitation.

"Don't worry, we're not staying," Ross explained to the hostile Slytherins. "We're just here to grab a few bottles."

His broad build made him fearless of any opponent. He never backed down from a good fight when it arose, and everyone knew it, so the students stepped aside docilely as they passed.

Upon seeing the two Gryffindors, Albus and Rose came over to meet them, with Lily and Hugo following behind. Potter looked exhausted, his face drawn.

"Where are you taking all that?" Rose asked, watching Ross grab an entire crate of bottles.

"To the kitchens," Dorian explained, flashing her a smile that made her blush. "The house-elves have sealed off a few rooms with a spell and prepared us a feast fit for kings. We're sore losers, we need a morale boost."

"I always knew the house-elves played favorites with the houses," Albus smiled.

"Hey, Weasley, can you shrink this for me?" Ross asked, gesturing to the crates of rum and butterbeer.

"Not strong enough?" Rose teased, poking his arm.

"I just don't want the snakes seeing me take their stash." Rose nodded, pulling out her wand. "After that, I'm going to get James," Ross continued. "Now that we've got the booze, that'll get him out. He's been spending all his time studying lately."

Ignoring the exchange, Lily approached her brother:

"I think you were hard on her," she whispered.

Albus's face darkened.

"Just because she's a captain doesn't mean she can talk about my players. That's none of her business."

Lily hesitated.

"But Scorpius doesn't want to be on your team anymore…"

"Nothing's decided yet. Lily, please, don't get involved in this!" Albus turned to Dorian, who was tucking a miniaturized crate into his pocket. "Aren't you with Scorpius?"

The boy shook his head.

"No, I was just coming to see him. Why, isn't he here?"

Albus didn't answer. Already, nausea was rising as questions flooded his mind. Where was he? And with who...?His stomach twisted.

"Albus."

Potter turned to his cousin.

"If you're looking for Scorpius," Hugo said gently, "you should check the Gryffindor dormitory."

End of Chapter 21

In the next chapter... the masks come off...!