I love you Albus
Scorpius’s head broken the surface of the lake and gasped for breath. Had he done it? Was it enough? Albus, where was Albus? A second later, another body rose from the depths and Scorpius was filled with both never ending relief and love. Albus coughed and spluttered and said “Did we do it? Did we change anything? Was it enough?”
“No!” Scorpius yelled triumphantly, “and it’s brilliant!” Scorpius kicked his legs as the cold water surrounded him, finding the lake floor and edging closer to Albus. “Oh Al, is it really you?” Albus’s heart fluttered. No one had called him that for years. Reaching his hand forward, Scorpius cupped Albus’s cheek, worried he was simply imagining things and Albus would disintegrate into nothingness. But he didn’t, he was here. He was real. And he was alive. “I can’t believe it’s really you!” And he flung his arms around the boy, pure euphoric joy filling him from head to toe.
Albus was surprised, but eagerly reciprocated the gesture, as Scorpius clung tightly to him, as though he never wanted to let go. “What’s this for?” Albus asked.
“I missed you so, so much Al. I thought I’d never see you again!” A a small stream of tears ran down his cheeks, mouth drawn in a smile so wide he thought his face would crack.
“Hey, hey. It’s okay. I’m here Scorpius. And what do you mean? You literally saw me 30 seconds ago in the lake. Or should I say around 25 years ago in the lake.” He chuckled, and Scorpius realised how much he really did miss Albus in the alternate reality. It felt like an eternity since hearing Albus laugh and it was a glorious sound.
Scorpius drew away from Albus in order to look at him, though he wished he could stay forever in his arms. “We humiliated Cedric so much he turned, bad. He became a death eater and killed Professor Longbottom.” Albus gasped, realisation spreading across his face.
“But, but that means-“
“Voldemort was never defeated at the battle of Hogwarts. In fact, he killed your father. S-so you-, you weren’t-“
“I wasn’t alive.” Albus breathed.
Scorpius nodded, his tears were flowing faster now. “It was horrible Albus. Voldemort was in charge, and Dolores Umbridge was headmistress. People would say ‘For Voldemort and valour’ as a greeting. A- And I was ‘the scorpion prince’, people were scared of me! They did my homework for me Albus. I hated homework! I don’t know what I would’ve done if I got stuck there-“
“I’m so sorry Scorpius, that must’ve been awful to endure. Are you ok?”
“Now that you’re here.” He replied, resting his forehead on Albus’s, and Albus’s heart pounded at their close proximity. “You mean more to me than anything Albus. You saw the light in me when everyone else saw only darkness. I can’t live without you Albus. I love you.” Albus’s breath caught in his throat. Scorpius loved him?
“I love you too.”
Scorpius took a deep breath, gathering all his courage, and moved his head forward planting a light kiss on his lips and drawing away quickly. Albus smiled and wrapped his arms around the boy.
“Albus?”
“Scorpius?”
“Where are you?”
“Boys?”
“Albus?! What on earth are you both doing in the lake? Get out immediately before you hurt yourselves!” The stern voice of Harry Potter sounded behind him.
The two boys jumped apart to see Harry, Ginny, Draco and headmistress McGonagall surrounding them. A quick spell from Harry’s wand sent them both flying out of the water and onto dry land. Albus looked nervously over at Scorpius and was surprised to see a look of shock and awe on his face as he stared at the adults. He was about to ask what was wrong when Scorpius burst out:
“It’s Harry Potter!!!?!! And Ginny! And headmistress McGonagall!!!?!!? And-“ he turned to face his father, “my dad!!!” He stepped towards his father, arms wide for a hug and Draco swiftly stepped back, eyeing his dripping clothes. Whilst the other adults looked at Scorpius as though he were mad, Albus merely laughed.