Chapter 14
"James, please, ignore your hair and tidy that damn room..." Ginny say, her tone a blend of firmness and maternal concern.
A distant roar signaled James's presence, his voice carrying from another room. "How can I possibly ignore it, Mum? It's turned pink! I'm going to have to use my Invisibility Cloak just to escape embarrassment!" His words were tinged with a mix of amusement and chagrin
Ginny's response was swift, a gentle reminder of the significance behind a cherished gift. "James, dear, that Cloak wasn't bestowed upon you for such trivial matters," she chided, her words carrying the weight of wisdom accumulated through years of magical experience.
Meanwhile, amidst the commotion, Lily's voice chimed in, her youthful enthusiasm adding to the familial symphony. "Has anyone seen my Potions book?" she queried, her tone a blend of innocence and curiosity.
"Lily Potter, don’t think you’re wearing those to school tomorrow . . ." Ginny remarked, her voice a gentle yet firm admoni.
LILY fluttered her fairy wings as she appeared at ALBUS's door, a smile lighting up her face.
"I love them," she exclaimed, admiring the delicate flutter of her wings.
As LILY departed, HARRY stepped into ALBUS's doorway, his expression thoughtful as he glanced around.
"Hi," he greeted, his tone a mix of uncertainty and warmth.
A moment of awkward silence hung between them until GINNY emerged behind HARRY, her gaze sweeping over the scene before her.
"Just delivering a pre-Hogwarts gift from me and your father," GINNY explained, her voice cheerful yet tinged with curiosity. "He sent this..."
ALBUS eyed the vial of veritaserum in HARRY's hand, his brows furrowing slightly.
"I don't need veritaserum," ALBUS protested, a hint of pride in his voice. "I am good in potions."
Harry's expression darkened with frustration. "It's a joke... Lily got farting gnomes, James got a comb that’s turned his hair pink. "
Setting down the veritaserum on Albus's bed, Harry continued, his tone tinged with angry "And also—Slytherins usually don't get presents from me, so you must be happy about any gift."
Albus eyed the vial of Veritaserum his father, Harry, offered him. "A veritaserum?"
Harry hesitated, his gaze fixed on his son. "I've been pondering what to get you this year. James — well, he's been fixated on the Invisibility Cloak forever, and Lily — I knew she'd adore wings — but you. You're fourteen now, Albus, and I wanted to give you something practical."
Albus frowned, considering. "And you chose to give me a potion? Alright. Fine. Let's hope it brings me luck, and the potion will prove useful."
"Listen, I've got a lot of packing to do," Albus continued, "and you undoubtedly have Ministry work piling up, so..."
"Albus, I want to give you Veritaserum," Harry interrupted.
Albus raised an eyebrow. "And who can I use it on? Fairy wings make sense, Dad, invisibility cloaks, they also make sense — but this — really?"
Harry's heart sank at his son's words. He looked at Albus, his desperation palpable. "Albus, please — can we just —"
"No, we can't," Albus interjected sharply. "First, you say I can't visit Scorpius during summer break, and now you give me a potion while my siblings get fun things."
Harry felt a surge of frustration. "I'm not going to rise to your bait, Albus Potter."
Albus's tone turned cutting. "The poor orphan who went on to save us all. So may I say — on behalf of wizarding kind — how grateful we are for your heroism. Should we bow now or will a curtsy do?"
"Albus, please — you know, I've never wanted gratitude," Harry pleaded.
"What did you think would happen?" Albus snapped. "We'd hug. I'd tell you I always loved you. What? What?"
Harry's temper flared. "You know what? I'm done with being made responsible for your unhappiness. At least you've got a dad. Because I didn't, okay?"
Albus's words stung. "And you think that was unlucky? I don't."
"You wish me dead?" Harry retorted, incredulous.
"No! I just wish you weren't my dad," Albus shot back.
Harry, seeing red, lashed out. "Well, there are times I wish you weren't my son."
A heavy silence hung between them as Albus nodded. Harry's realization hit him like a blow. "No, I didn't mean that..."
"Yes. You did," Albus interrupted, his voice heavy with hurt. "Pansy and Draco are better parents for Scorpius than you and Ginny are for me."
"Albus, you know how to get under my skin..." Harry's voice trailed off.
"You meant it, Dad. And, honestly, I don't blame you," Albus replied, his tone resigned.
A painful pause followed. "You should probably leave me alone now," Albus said quietly.
"Albus, please..." Harry pleaded, but his son had already picked up the blanket and thrown it in frustration. The vial of Veritaserum shattered upon impact, spilling its contents onto the bed, filling the air with a small puff of smoke.
"No luck or love for me, then," Albus muttered, running out of the room. Harry followed after him, calling his name desperately, "Albus. Albus... Please..."