Chapter 33
In the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, Albus Potter's footsteps echoed as he pursued his father, Harry, with a sense of urgency. "What if I run? I'll run," he contemplated aloud, his voice barely a whisper in the vastness of the castle. Harry's stern reply cut through the tension, "Albus, get back in bed." But Albus was restless, his resolve unyielding as he declared, "I'll run away again."
Harry's reassurance was firm, "No. You won't." Yet Albus remained undeterred, determined to escape once more, his words tinged with defiance, "I will — and this time I'll make sure Ron can't find us."
As if summoned by the mention of his name, Ron Weasley appeared on a nearby staircase, his appearance slightly disheveled but his demeanor unmistakably protective. "Do I hear my name?" he chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of concern.
Albus greeted his uncle with a mixture of relief and desperation, acknowledging the need for his familiar humor in such trying times. "Uncle Ron! Thank Dumbledore. If ever we needed one of your jokes it’s now . . ."
Ron's attempt at light-heartedness faltered as he approached, his eyes betraying the underlying worry. "I'm pleased I caught you. I was going to bring some sweets — for a, uh, sort of, a, get well soon, but, uh . . . Actually Hermione — she thinks about things a lot more — deeply — than I do — and she thought it'd be nicer for you to get something useful for school. So we got you a — set of quills. Yes. Yes. Yes. Look at these bad boys. Top of the range."
Albus, puzzled by the unexpected gift, questioned Ron's choice, "Why you give me a set of quills?" In the dimly lit room, Harry furrowed his brow as he exchanged a glance with Albus.
"He wanted bring you something useful for school," Harry remarked, his tone tinged with concern.
Albus shook his head. "But I already have plenty of sets of quills."
Ron, catching the exchange, leaned in towards Harry. "I told you, he's not happy about the quills," he whispered before turning to Albus. "Could you want something from Weasley's joke shop?" he offered, then turned back to Harry. "He's angry with you for trying to protect him from Scorpius?"
Albus interjected, his voice tinged with defiance. "I didn't need your protection. Scorpius is my best and only friend."
Ron raised an eyebrow skeptically. "But Scorpius is Slytherin, and his parents are evil."
Harry intervened, trying to diffuse the tension. "He doesn't understand, Ron."
Ron sighed, conceding the point. "Yes, well, that's unfortunate."
Albus, undeterred, continued to challenge their beliefs. "My grandfather was more evil than Draco or Pansy, but you never called him evil."
Ron hesitated, searching for a response. "Because James was in Gryffindor, but Draco and Pansy were in Slytherin."
Albus shook his head, frustrated. "That doesn't change anything. You're both prejudiced."
Harry and Ron exchanged a disapproving glance before Ron spoke firmly. "Stop talking like that. All Slytherins are evil."
Albus bristled at the accusation. "That's a lie. Do you think I'm evil?"
Harry stepped in, his tone stern. "Albus, whatever you're insinuating, it's not going to change my mind."
Albus met his father's gaze defiantly. "Dad, you have two choices. Either you take me to—"
"No," Harry interrupted firmly. "You're the one with the choice, Albus. You either do this, or you'll find yourself in much deeper trouble. Do you understand?"
As the tension thickened, Scorpius approached, reaching out for Albus. "Albus? How are you feeling?"
Harry, sensing the need to depart, intervened. "He's completely fine. And we've got to go."
Albus glanced up at Scorpius, a pang of sadness in his heart, before turning and walking away.
Scorpius gazed at Albus, his voice tinged with concern. "Are you mad at me? What’s going on?"
Albus halted, his expression conflicted as he turned to face Scorpius. "I'm sorry, but I can't speak with you."
Confusion clouded Scorpius's features. "No... But, Albus—"
Harry intervened sharply, his tone commanding. "Albus, whatever nonsense you're caught up in, you need to put an end to it, now. Consider this your final warning."
Albus stood torn between his father's authoritative stance and his loyal friend's pleading gaze. "I can't, okay?"
Scorpius's voice trembled with hurt as he asked, "Can't what?"
Albus's reply was pained. "Just... We'll be better off without each other, okay?"
Left behind, Scorpius stared after him, his heart heavy with the weight of Albus's words, his expression one of heartbreak.