The whole thing is humiliating, he thinks. It was bad enough being the "Slytherin Squib", always judged for how different he is to his father, without having his father there to highlight how different they are.
Everyone knows the stories: Harry Potter, only 13 years old casting a full Patronus charm to ward off the dementors, incredible. Everyone knows how brilliant Harry is at the Patronus Charm, and it only serves to make Albus' attempts look more pathetic.
Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts.
The advice is useless to Albus, who had become increasingly more despondent since the events with Delphi the year before.
The rest of the class, consisting of the fifth year Gryffindor and Slytherin students, are watching him struggle. Polly Chapman whispers something to another girl, who covers her hand as she giggles.
Stupid Polly Chapman, Albus thinks. Stupid Polly Chapman and her stupid cat patronus.
Polly had gotten the charm in their second lesson, fourth in the class. The only person who had managed the spell in their first lesson had been Rose, who had managed to produce a full patronus on her fifth attempt at the spell; An otter, just like her mother. Ron and Hermione had been thrilled.
The rest of the class had gotten the spell at various points over the next two and a half weeks, the second to last being a Gryffindor girl named Sophie, who Albus suspected had had a tough upbringing before coming to Hogwarts.
Scorpius had struggled at first as well, despite being typically skilled at charms of any kind. Their experience with Delphi had effected both of them deeply, and Scorpius had admitted to Albus late one night that he was struggling to come up with happy memories to lean on.
Scorpius had managed the charm two lessons before, after exchanging a series of letters with his father.
"My father has never been able to cast a Patronus Charm, "Scorpius had explained after the lesson, "but he helped me brainstorm potential memories, and we talked about mum, and being able to appreciate the happy memories we have with her even though we miss her, and that helped."
Albus had considered talking to his dad about the issues he was having, but had decided against it. Their relationship was doing significantly better, but Albus still felt uncomfortable talking about personal stuff with anyone other than Scorpius, and he wasn't sure he wanted his dad to know how much he was still struggling. Delphi was in jail, the time turners were gone, he was safe, even if he didn't feel it.
Albus wasn't sure how he would've made it through the end of the fourth year without Scorpius. He wasn't sure how he would've gotten through any of it without Scorpius. If there was any evidence that Albus wasn't cursed, it was that Scorpius Malfoy was his best friend turned boyfriend. If there was anything that made Albus really happy, it was Scorpius.
The whole class was watching him, and Albus was the only one yet to cast a patronus, and if he was going to get it, it would be now.
Albus squeezed his eyes shut and thought happy thoughts.
Sitting next to Scorpius on the Hogwarts Express. Being invited to sit next to Scorpius after being sorted. Watching Scorpius try to befriend Rose. Jumping off the train with Scorpius. Emerging from the Great Lake with Scorpius. Sitting in Godrics Hollow with Scorpius. Scorpius asking to be his boyfriend. Kissing Scorpius. Scorpius. Scorpius. Scorpius. Scorpius.
Albus does not notice his mouth moving, or the noise that comes out of it, nor does he notice the gasps from his classmates.
The thing that does, finally, break Albus from his thoughts of Scorpius is Scorpius himself, who begins to shake Albus.
"Albus! Albus! Look, you've done it!"
When Albus opens his eyes the first thing he sees is the light grey of Scorpius' eyes, the line of his chin, the way his nose ends in a point.
The second thing he notices is the silver creature galloping around the room, like a horse consisting entirely of bone and sinew.
"A thestral," Harry announces, sounding slightly breathless.
The class breaks into murmurs, until one of the Slytherin girls raises her voice.
"Can't thestrals only be seen by people that have watched someone die?" She asks.
And she's right. That's why Albus was able to see them pulling the carriages at the end of his fourth year.
“They're kind of grotesque,” Scorpius had commented.
"Yeah." Albus had replied, "They're beautiful."
"Yes," Harry answers the girls question. "Thestrals can only be seen by those who have witnessed death. For many of you this may be your only chance to see what one looks like in person."
The class watches as the thestral charges around the room, and when it doesn't dissipate Albus figures that it must be looking for something.
He elbows Scorpius' arm, who in return gives him a puzzled look.
"It's looking for something," Albus tells him, "Thestrals are pack animals."
Scorpius eyes him thoughtfully for a second, before seeming to realise what Albus is asking him.
Scorpius takes a step back, raises his wand, takes a deep breath, and then announces the spell.
A shimmering unicorn sprints from his wand and makes a beeline towards the thestral in the centre of the room.
The two creatures gallop around each other for a second, before disappearing together in a ball of silver mist.
Albus reaches for Scorpius' hand, and refuses to let go when he feels people watching. Instead, emboldened by the previous display, he holds on tighter.
Because it makes sense-the thestral and the unicorn. He and Scorpius are meant to be together, no matter what anyone else may think. Scorpius is the light to his dark, the life to his death.
We fit together, Albus thinks, it's written in our souls.