Chapter 5
It was mid-November and Hogwarts was starting to get really cold.
Albus was sitting on his bed in the dormitory with his legs crossed and holding his Defense Against the Dark Arts book in his hand. He was supposed to be studying for a test. The test was very important for him, otherwise he would fail the subject 100%.
He didn't even know why. The subject wasn't actually that difficult. There were spells that he had to know by heart, he had to know which spells were best for defense.
It was easy.
And yet he somehow failed.
The problem was that he just couldn't concentrate. All the family problems were getting to him and he couldn't switch off.
He didn't want to anymore.
Albus winced when the door slammed shut. Scorpius threw his books, which he had been carrying in his hand, onto the table and then turned to Albus. With a worried look on his face.
"You should take a break, Al."
"You know I can't do that. I'll fail otherwise." Albus ran his right hand through his hair in despair.
Why couldn't he just remember that?
Scorpius sat down on his bed and stared at Albus. "Why don't you remember that?"
Albus' gaze shot up and immediately met Scorpius' eyes, which were searching for an answer in Albus' eyes.
"My head isn't clear. All these problems and all the drama. I just can't concentrate, no matter how hard I try." Albus sighed at the end of his sentence and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his sweater - as if he wanted to take back the words he had just said.
Scorpius frowned before standing up and standing in front of Albus. "Come."
Albus looked up at Scorpius in confusion. "What?"
"Come on. We'll go to Hogsmeade. We'll have a nice, relaxing day, and then I'll help you pass this test. But until then, I want you to rest and not overwork yourself, okay?"
Scorpius took his and Albus' scarf in his hands, and Albus went to Scorpius to take one of his scarves. "I'll never forget that."
Scorpius began to smile as he walked toward the door. "You don't have to return the favor. I'm your best friend. That's what friends do."
Best friends - thought Albus and sighed inwardly in annoyance.
But outwardly he grinned at Scorpius.
Albus was really grateful to Scorpius.
That was one of the reasons why he didn't want to confess his love to Scorpius.
Albus simply knew that Scorpius was interested in Rose - not in him. He didn't want to destroy the friendship just because Scorpius didn't return his love.
♡
Rosmerta had offered them the quietest table. She wanted them to have some peace and quiet. She knew how hard it was for them both at Hogwarts and at home. At least her shop should be a refuge for them both.
Scorpius made Albus laugh as they sat down at the table. He had told a bad joke that was so stupid that you just had to laugh at it.
"Hey, you two." Rosmerta put the two butterbeers on the table. "Want anything else?"
Albus and Scorpius exchanged a quick look before Scorpius shook his head and said "No, thanks."
A smile formed on Rosmerta's face before she turned around and disappeared again. She had immediately recognized that the two had a special bond and was already looking forward to the two becoming a couple - at least she hoped that the two would become a couple. Rosmerta thought that the two simply belonged together.
Hopefully no one would come between them.
"I'm not looking forward to the winter holidays." Albus sighed and fiddled with the end of his left sleeve. "Why?"
Albus began to smile. "Because then I won't be able to see you for a week."
Scorpius needed a moment to realize the sentence before he also began to smile and tilted his head slightly.
"Does someone miss me so quickly?" Scorpius asked with a provocative undertone and Albus shrugged. "Maybe."
"Will I ever find out from you?" Scorpius asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Depends," Albus replied, his heart racing, thinking his heart was about to jump out.
Scorpius was illuminated by the candle that was near the window. Albus couldn't look away.
He was so beautiful.
Rosmerta watched the scene from a good distance.
-
35 minutes later, Harry Potter entered the Three Broomsticks - together with Hermione and Ron.
Rosmerta recognized the three immediately and rushed to Albus and Scorpius as quickly as possible.
"Hey, guys. The golden trio is here." Rosmerta looked at the two briefly before turning around and disappearing again. She wandered over to Harry, Hermione and Ron, distracting the three in between.
Albus sighed and Scorpius looked at him worriedly. "We can stay here if you're ready." Scorpius turned his head slightly to catch a glimpse of the golden trio.
"I don't think so." Albus stood up quietly so as not to attract attention.
His father was so good at noticing Albus immediately.
Albus hated that so much.
"Okay," Scorpius' voice rang out and he imitated Albus - stand up quietly.
"Then let's go, Al." Scorpius was now standing next to Albus, who nodded quickly and used the back exit. Scorpius quickly followed him.
Hopefully the two of them weren't recognized...