Chapter 22
change is growth even if it's scary
~~~~~~~~~~~~♡
"Your dad can't do that. It's mandatory to attend Hogwarts," Scorpius explained, holding Albus' face in his hands. He gently stroked his cheeks.
Albus laughed falsely. "He's Harry Potter. He can do anything."
Scorpius drew his eyebrows together in despair. "But I won't let that happen. He can't just homeschool one of his children, that would be neglect, wouldn't it?" Albus tilted his head slightly and placed his hands on Scorpius' knees. Scorpius became nervous at this, but didn't let it show.
Albus felt his heart racing twice. He frowned for a moment. That can't be true, can it?
"You're right, but would you really do that? After all, it's still your family, isn't it?" Scorpius asked, wanting to understand Albus more.
Albus nodded. "I understand what you mean. But I've been pretending for years so I wouldn't disappoint my family even more. Potter in Slytherin, right? If you're going to be a disappointment, at least be the best." Albus shrugged and Scorpius nodded slowly.
"They really could have made the beds more comfortable," Albus muttered, changing the subject and Scorpius agreed. "But at least they're okay for sleeping."
Albus' gaze flew to Scorpius and Albus raised his eyebrows. Scorpius blushed at that. "I didn't mean that!"
Albus started to laugh before moving his face closer to Scorpius' and brushing his lips against his.
This made both of them feel slightly drunk.
They both started to grin, Albus wrapped his arms around Scorpius' neck and Scorpius wrapped his arms around Albus' waist. Scorpius pressed his lips to Albus', both moving in sync.
It fit so well together.
Then Albus felt Scorpius' tongue brushing over his lips, asking for entry. Albus' heart fluttered and he thought he was going to faint at any moment.
He granted entry and both gasped for air for a moment.
Albus deepened the kiss even more and slowly leaned forward - Scorpius leaned back.
Albus braced his arms on the bed on either side of Scorpius' body. He placed his right hand on Scorpius' waist, his left hand on the bed so he didn't lose his balance.
He had waited 3 years for such scenarios. After all, he had only fallen in love in third year and his feelings grew stronger in fourth year. From there on, they only grew more and stronger.
Their making out lasted a few minutes before the two separated, yearning for air. Then they looked at each other, smiled, and Scorpius pulled Albus into his arms.
Now Albus was lying completely on top of Scorpius and he pressed his face into Scorpius' neck.
Scorpius tightened his grip on Albus' body and gently stroked his back with his right hand. Albus had buried his right hand in Scorpius' hair.
No matter what happened, they had each other.
The two had promised each other that in their hearts.
♡
Five days had passed since the near-attack by the Death Eaters. You could still see that the professors were tense. But they still tried to continue the class as best they could.
McGonagall had also added 2 lessons of Defense of the Dark Arts. In return, one lesson of Herbology and one lesson of Astronomy were dropped.
"My dad's turn to observe Hogwarts isn't until February," Albus explained. Scorpius nodded after a short while and Alaric sighed loudly. "I'm sorry to say this now, but I find it so ridiculous. I mean, he can't tell you who you hang out with. You're old enough to know that yourself."
Albus nodded in response. "Parents always want to protect their children, no matter how old they are," Jareth said and put a piece of food from Alaric's plate in his mouth.
"Hey!"
"You're not going to eat that anymore anyway."
"That really hurt my heart." Alaric put his hand on his heart.
"Dude." Jareth rolled his eyes, while a letter with the Potter seal on top landed in front of Albus.
"Your mother?" Scorpius asked, Albus shrugged. "Probably."
Albus took the letter in his hand, opened it and began to read it.
The further he read, the more he frowned.
Hey, son.
I wanted to ask you if you could invite your friends to our house next holiday. I would like to get to know them all better.
I know Harry won't be very happy about it, but I'll tell him a few days before the holidays start.
Then I can take you all with me on the Hogwarts Express as soon as you get off the train.
I hope you know what I mean by friends. I'll write it down anyway:
So by that I mean Scorpius, the Hawthorn son Alaric, I think his name was, Jareth Green (is that right?) and the sister of one of the boys. Faye, I think her name was.
I'm sure I'll have a lot of arguments with the family about it during the holidays, but whatever.
Changes are important and you should allow them.
Love you,
Mum.
Albus tilted his head for a moment before turning the letter so that the other three could read it without any problems.
"I mean, I don't have a problem with it. I don't have to lie to my family, but Scorpius probably does, right?" asked Alaric, his gaze wandering from the letter to Scorpius. He nodded. "I'll just say that I'm spending the holidays at Hogwarts."
"It's no problem for me either," said Jareth and then tilted his head. "It seems your mother really cares more about your feelings than the opinions of your family."
Albus shrugged. "I'm surprised she's suddenly so open-minded."
Scorpius took a sip of his pumpkin juice. "Maybe she just doesn't want to have any conflicts when the dark side comes to power."
Albus nodded and then unconsciously stared at Scorpius, who didn't even notice. Alaric leaned forward a little and smirked, while Jareth raised his eyebrows before he started to grin.
Then Scorpius turned to Albus, as he was suspiciously quiet, and Albus immediately turned his head away, his face turning a little red.
A grin spread across Scorpius' face. Alaric shook his head, grinning, and mumbled something about: "Idiots in love." or something like that.
♡
Albus closed the door to their dorm with his heart racing, then Scorpius immediately kissed him and put his hands on Albus' hips. Albus put his hands on Scorpius' cheeks, where he then let his hands wander up into Scorpius' hair.
"I've wanted to do this all day."
"Me too."
They both sighed into the kiss and Scorpius slowly moved forward - so that Albus' back was pressed against the wall.
There they continued making out before they had to break away due to lack of air. They looked into each other's eyes for a moment before Albus hugged Scorpius even closer and Scorpius laid his face in the crook of Albus' neck.
That gave Albus goosebumps, but he liked the feeling on his neck too much to let go.
"This holiday is really going to happen, huh?" whispered Scorpius.
Albus suddenly felt really warm when he felt Scorpius' breath on his neck. Albus closed his eyes and swallowed.
Scorpius' body pressed against his and his hot breath on his neck was not a good combination.
But Albus liked the feeling. Very much.
Even though it made him completely nervous.
"Probably. At least I hope so. I would be happy to have you with me during the holidays," whispered Albus back and he could feel Scorpius starting to smile on his neck.
End of January:
"Muggle family killed. Muggleborn found alone."
"How far is the Ministry of Magic going to let this go? A lot of witches and wizards are probably asking themselves that question right now."
"Werewolf attacks are increasing."
"A festival was destroyed by dark wizards. Both Muggles and magical people were present."
"Due to recent events, the Ministry of Magic has now introduced a new measure: Anyone who even remotely supports or approves of any dark wizarding goals will be watched without hesitation - but that person will not notice that they are being watched. Anyone who sees magical blood as supremacy will probably be punished - it depends on the age of the person and how far their mindset goes.
The Ministry of Magic is currently discussing further measures.
Remain vigilant - that is the only thing we can advise you."
These titles were in the last Daily Prophets. Something new was added every day.
Everyone was scared. It was closer to a wizard war than it had been for a long time. No one really knew how to react. Most were just worried about how they would protect their family.
- Muggleborns in particular were asking themselves this question.
"Have you read the new Daily Prophet yet?" Jareth asked as he was heading towards Hogsmeade with the other three boys.
The four of them became really good friends over the last few months.
But Albus and Scorpius always remained special to each other. And the person who could understand the other best.
It was just the two of them.
It would stay that way forever.
Just them.
"Yes, and somehow I can understand their decision. After all, they have to do something when innocent people die," Alaric said, and Albus immediately agreed.
"Well, at least I'm glad that the four of us can spend some time alone in Hogsmeade before we all throw ourselves into the lion's den," Alaric added, which made the other three laugh.
Hogsmeade was just white at this time of year. Snow was falling from everywhere, you couldn't really walk.
But that didn't matter because Hogsmeade looked simply breathtaking in the snow.
Albus also thought that Scorpius looked breathtaking.
His breath caught in his throat when he let his gaze fall on Scorpius.
Everything about him was just perfect.
Scorpius met his gaze and a slight smile formed on his face. Albus returned it.
Alaric and Jareth exchanged a knowing look before both began to grin. This was going to be fun.
The four of them first wandered into a few shops - where they also met a few other students before they made their way to the Three Broomsticks, where Lily and Faye were already waiting for them.
Once inside, they immediately went to the back table. Rosmerta smiled at the four of them before she continued to refill the drinks.
"Mum and Dad wrote to me again beforehand and I don't think they quite believe our excuse about the holidays that we're staying at Hogwarts," explained Faye before she started to smile and Alaric shook his head. "If you made a mistake."
"Really, Faye!" Jareth provoked Faye, who immediately slapped him on the shoulder. The six of them spent the last hour before departure in the Three Broomsticks before they found themselves back on the Hogwarts Express.
"This is going to be fun," whispered James to Albus, who shrugged. "It was Mum's idea, not ours."
James wanted to say something else, but Albus was pulled by Scorpius into a train compartment in which Alaric and Jareth were not yet inside.
"Thanks for saving me, Scorp." Albus grinned and Scorpius moved his face closer and gave Albus a quick kiss on the lips, which gave Albus butterflies in his stomach.
Then Scorpius sat down and Albus followed suit.
"Alaric and Jareth probably have an idea," said Scorpius and Albus moved closer to Scorpius and laid his head on his shoulder. Scorpius put his arm around Albus' shoulder and leaned his head on his.
"Let them."
After he had finished saying the sentence, it only took a few seconds before the two separated again as they recognized footsteps coming closer to their compartment.
At that very moment Alaric and Jareth came into the compartment and sat down on the bench, groaning.
"I hate Avery so much," sighed Alaric, and his words were filled with scum that filled his lungs. "He's an idiot," replied Scorpius, and Jareth nodded. "More than that."
"I'm a little nervous," said Jareth suddenly and everyone's eyes immediately wandered to him. "Why?"
"Because..." Jareth crossed his arms and took a deep breath. "Because it's the Weasley-Potter family. It's not like every day you hang out with the family that sees you as a threat, is it?"