Chapter 1
If there was one thing in this whole wide world Albus loved, it was sleeping.
It was the only time that Albus felt at peace. Sleep let him rest, forget as he drifted off into adventures of his own making. In his dreams he was allowed to a be a hero, an inventor, a prodigy! Beloved and praised.
It allowed him to imagine a different reality than he was living. A world where he lived, no longer as a disappointment, but just like his siblings.
A Potter in Gryffindor, surrounded in red and gold. Not silver and green. A warm fireplace high up in the tower, not the cold, dreary, damp dungeons of Slytherin.
Where Lily and James were. Where Fred and Rose where. Where his family was. Where Albus could've been.
But where Albus wasn't.
His dreams let him forget. His dreams gave him solace and comfort. And a place where he belonged.
And even if that warmth left him as soon as he woke up. Even if it was temporary, he liked dreaming.
But lately, someonehad been interrupting this precious time of his.
A certain someone from Slytherin. His very own blonde haired menace. He had decided to take it upon himself to wake Albus up on time for classes. (Even though it was wholly unnecessary because Albus was not early but most certainly not late.)
It wasn't just the whole waking up that was the issue. It was also how he was being woken up.
Crouched under his blankets, Albus waits.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The light footsteps are accompanied by a cheery whistling.
He was coming.
Albus grips his wand tighter.
The drapes around his four-poster bed start to move. The moment they open, Albus points his wand.
But before he can cast his spell, his wand flies out his hand.
And is caught deftly by Scorpius Malfoy, who twirls it around his fingers.
"Good morning Albus! Another beautiful morning, isn't it?" He smiled brightly.
Albus groaned.
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Albus had always been quiet, even as a child.
It's not that he wasn't active or anything. In fact, he was usually found outside, in the backyard with his broom.
And it wasn't that he hated talking either.
It was just that he took up less space than James or Lily.
They required more attention than Albus who was more careful.
Whenever Albus showed his drawings to Harry, or whenever Ginny was playing Quidditch with him in the afternoon, there would come a piercing yell from the kitchen. Making his parents drop everything they were doing in order to rush to James who had either fallen over and hurt himself or toppled something over, which required their attention.
Then there was Lily, who being the youngest also needed his parents. Whether it be feeding her, or changing her diapers, or whatever it was babies needed adults for.
And so, Albus had learned early on that he just required less care compared to his older, clumsier brother and his younger sister.
Because Albus was always self-sufficient. Because he was so mature.
So Albus told himself he was fine. He didn't need to show his drawings to his dad. He didn't need his praise urgently. He could just wait for his Mom to come back from St.Mungo's to finish their match.
And when the doorbell rang at 8pm, Albus ran down the stairs, drawing in hand, as his parents walked in with his siblings.
James was fast asleep in Harry's arms and Ginny was carrying a babbling baby Lily in hers.
"Mom! Dad! Welcome back." He said, rocking back and forth on his heels. "I-I just finished drawing this." And extended the paper towards them.
"That's great, Al." Harry said gently, as he patted his son's head. "Good job."
Albus grinned and turned to Ginny. "Mom, can we play quidditch again? We left the match unfinished. I also practiced this new move. Wanna see?" He said as he tugged on her coat.
"Maybe later, sweetheart." Ginny said softly as she stepped towards the stairs. "I still have to put Lily to sleep. Maybe your Dad can play with you?"
Pouting in disappointment, Albus turned his hopeful eyes toward his father.
"Can we play, Daddy?"
Harry sighed, as he shifted James in his arms. "I'm sorry, Albus. Daddy feels very tired, right now. Let's play together tomorrow?" He suggested.
"But-but," Albus tried to protest but that's when he noticed the dark bags under his father's eyes. The fatigue weighing down his shoulders. The yawn threatening to spill from his mouth.
And Albus gripped his drawing harder, pursed his lips, and nodded.
"Okay."
Harry smiled and patted his head again. "I'm going to put your brother in bed, okay?"
"I'll be in my room." He murmured and walked up the stairs to his room, where he placed the drawing in his hands, inside a drawer.
He traced the coloured lines of the three figures flying around on brooms, one shorter clearly way smaller than the other two, and shut the drawer.
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The stalking had started a week ago.
It was part of Albus's routine to sneak out of his dorm every Friday and go to the Astronomy Tower using the Invisibility Cloak and Marauder's Map he borrowed
from his brother.
After curfew, when the entire castle was asleep, the wind cold enough to make his breath freeze in the night air, he huddled in his warm blanket.
Staring out into the vastness of the universe with its countless stars and galaxies, that was comfort to Albus.
He would sit, tracing the constellations, greeting the planets- his old friends. Who were forever unchanging. They had been there when he was born and would be there forevermore, shining brightly.
He would stay out until the rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, stretching his sore limbs as a smile crept up onto his cheeks and he started a new day.
At least, it was his routine. But not tonight.
For some reason, he found himself covering the mouth of Scorpius Malfoy under the invisibility cloak as he strained to listen for footsteps.
His heart beat frantically his chest as he stepped closer to the other boy.
"Not a word," he hissed as he stared deeply into grey eyes.
The blonde nodded, his eyes wide in shock.
"I'm going to move my hand now," Albus warned. At another nod, Albus moved away and picked up his Map.
Luckily for him, Filch and Ms. Norris had already walked away from them. He sighed in relief.
Then he felt his shoulder being tapped and looked up annoyed.
Scorpius Malfoy stood in the barely lit corridor, with only his hand and face peeking through the Invisibility Cloak.
"What?" Albus asked.
Scorpius looked alarmed and whipped his head around to scan for the school caretaker and his cat sidekick.
Albus sighed again as he spoke. "They're gone. It's fine."
"Thank goodness." Scorpius said, relieved. "I thought we were going to get caught for a second. Thanks for that, by the way." He said, smiling.
"It's whatever," Albus muttered as he extended his hand.
Scorpius stared at the hand blankly for a second before recovering and handing over the Cloak, sheepishly.
Albus barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes.
"Well, I'll be going now. Bye." Albus said, as he walked away.
"No-wait," Scorpius exclaimed as he latched on Albus's sleeve.
"Oh for Merlin's sake," Albus said scowling. "What do you want now?"
"Um," the other boy stuttered as glanced at the ground. "I just- where are you going?!"
Albus looked back at him, incredulously.
Scorpius bit his lip, anxiously. His grip had tightened on Albus's sleeve.
The clouds moved away from the moon. The light illuminating the blonde hair of Scorpius, making it appear it silver.
Irritation coursed through Albus as he ripped his hand from Scorpius. "It's none of your business." He replied burquesly and stalked away.
"B-But," Scorpius stuttered as his feet pattered behind Albus's.
"I just saved your sorry ass from Filch and I'm doing you another favour by not mentioning this to teachers, so scram."
"That's it!" Scorpius exclaimed brightly.
Albus pauses. "What's it?"
"I'm also doing you a favour," Scorpius returned, grinning impishly.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I'm doing you a favour by not reporting your late night indiscretion to the teachers and prefects."
Albus flinched at that realization.
"I helped you out and that's how you act?" He questioned in his disbelief.
Scorpius only shrugged nonchalantly making Albus grit his teeth.
What an ungrateful little-
Albus exhaled as he spoke. "Fine. Tell me what you want in exchange for so mercifully keeping me out of trouble."
"Take me with you."
"....excuse me?"
"Take. Me. With. You." Scorpius replied, closing the distance between them with each word, until he was right in front of Albus.
Albus glowered.
Scorpius returned his stare evenly, eyes full of determination.
It threw Albus off, the stubbornness and audacity, Scorpius possessed.
What exactly was he hoping for? What would he even get from this?
The corridor was silent for a few more moments. Before Albus groaned and rubbed his face with hand.
"Ugh, let's just..go."
Scorpius made a happy little noise before falling into step beside Albus.
Albus regretted getting up that night.
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"You're kidding…right?" Albus questioned as he stared at Scorpius who was visibly paling at the door that lead to the Astronomy Tower.
"I'm not really in the mood to be making jokes right now, I think." Scorpius replied as he trembled like a leaf.
"Why would you even come if you're scared of heights?!" Albus fumed.
"You didn't tell me where we were going!" Scorpius pointed out.
"You take this route to class every day," Albus fired back.
"I-" Scorpius began, only to realise he lost the argument. "Alright, that's a fair point." He wilted in defeat.
"Fair." Albus grumbled.
"Fine. A very good point." Scorpius conceded, as he gripped the door harder.
"Bloody hell, Malfoy."
"It will be bloody if I fall from here." The blonde gulped.
Albus now felt bad for all the times he thought James was insufferable. Clearly, the title was taken by the one in front of him.
He cursed under his breath as stomped towards Scorpius, who looked up curiously at that.
"Give me your hand." He demanded.
Now it was Albus being stared at as if he was the one who lost his head.
Who exactly was the fool who insisted on climbing the tower when they were scared of heights?
That's right, not Albus.
So why again, was he being subjected to this look!
"You're the one who wanted to follow me. So, take my hand and we can climb up the stairs together. Or, I can just leave you here so you can find your way back to the dorm."
"No, thank you." Scorpius squeaked, and grabbed Albus's hand. "Let's go."
They walked up in silence for a few minutes before Albus decided to check on him.
"You're unbelievable!" Albus exclaimed.
Scorpius looked confused at that. "But I didn't do anything."
"Why are you blushing?!" Albus demanded as his own cheeks started to heat up.
"Well, I'm just…" Scorpius trailed off as he averted his gaze from Albus.
As soon as he felt Albus slowly start to let go, he gripped harder.
"Don't," he pleaded. "Don't let go, please." His grey eyes, now looking straight into green ones.
Albus's heart started beating faster. "You-"
"Please."
When Albus felt the tremble in the other boy's hands, he hesitated.
This whole situation was so weird. What was even happening? Why was he even trying so hard?
He could just let go. He could. And yet..
When he looked back at Malfoy's face..he froze.
Tears were gathered at the edge of his lash line. Those unusually clear, unyielding eyes he had seen earlier were now lined with tears. A fearful gleam present in them, asking Albus to stay.
Now, Albus felt stupid for feeling all stupidly self-conscious earlier. He bit his lip as he felt guilt prick his heart.
It was not his own fault. He knew this. If Scorpius was scared, he shouldn't come..and yet.
And yet.
Albus couldn't let go. They were already so close to the top. So, he might as well take responsibility and lead them there, safely.
"Don't cry, now." He said gruffly. "Just count the steps as we go up." He squeezed their hands together. "I'm not going to let go."
Scorpius looked stunned for a second. And nodded. "Okay."
"Here we go."
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
Ten.
Eleven.
Twelve.
Thirteen.
Fourteen.
Fifteen.
Sixteen.
Seventeen.
Eighteen.
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"Wow, it's so pretty up here!" Scorpius exclaims, his eyes wide with excitement as he stares up at the stars.
He runs around the tower, bombarding Albus with questions. "Do you come up here everyday? Why did you even come up here? Do you like stargazing?"
The blonde eventually settles down in a corner, shivering. "It's also quite cold up here, isn't it?"
"It is." Albus answers as he sits beside the other boy. "But that's why I have this." And proceeds to pull out a blanket from his pocket and casting an enlarging spell on it.
Scorpius's mouth is open in a 'O' shape. "Smart of you."
Albus can't help but snort. "Is it, really?"
Scorpius chuckles. "Well.."
Albus only shakes his head as he puts the blanket around them.
"Thank you." Scorpius says softly, looking up at Albus. His grey eyes were now bright, his cheeks and nose a little flushed from the cold, as he huddled under the blanket.
"You're…welcome. But, are you okay now? With the heights and all?"
"I'm alright, because I can't really see what's below me." Scorpius says.
"If you say so."
"And," Scorpius begins. "I have something to apologize for."
"It's fine-"
"No," Scorpius says firmly, head lowered. "I was being very presumptuous tonight. I knew I was barging into your personal space and I forced you into taking me along. And for that, I'm sorry."
Albus stays silent for a moment, before sighing.
"Do you see that constellation?" He asks, pointing up at the sky.
"I do, but-"
"It's Cassiopeia." Albus says tracing his hand along the line.
"Oh…I didn't know that." Scorpius murmurs, embarrassed. "I'm atrocious at astronomy. I barely scrape by in my tests, you see. So, my parents are quite concerned about whether I'll fail my O.W.Ls."
Albus can't help but laugh at that. Seeing him look so abashed at the prospects of his grades after everything he had said and done tonight.
Scorpius looks flustered when Albus grins at him. "You're so-" He chuckles. "-I can't understand you, at all."
"I'm feeling lost."
"It's just, after all the stunts you pulled tonight. You're embarrassed about your Astronomy grades."
Scorpius blushes at that. "I'm sorry."
Albus looks at him, smile crinkling the edges of his eyes. "I'm glad you're at least self-aware. But it's weird to apologize now. You can just continue being your shameless self."
The tension in Scorpius's shoulders loosens at that. His entire face, lighting up as he grins back. "Then, with your permission. I will humbly continue to do so."
Albus hums as he points at three bright stars, arranged one below the other. "Those three stars make up Orion's belt."
"I know that one!" Scorpius says happily.
"You do?"
"Yeah, I needed to memorize at least a few to avoid failing."
"And here I thought I'd have to teach you where Venus was."
"I'm not that bad!" Scorpius said indignantly.
"Alright." Albus agreed smoothly.
"I'm really not." Scorpius insisted. "And I can see you smirking from here."
Albus chuckles. "Okay, what other constellations do you know?"
"Um, Draco."
"And?"
"....The Scorpion…"
A deep sigh was heard from the tower.
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The next morning, Albus woke up, feeling dead tired. Thanks to the late night Astronomy crash course, he had only five hours of sleep.
He felt like his limbs were made out of lead, as he slowly trudged towards the Great Hall.
Unfortunately for him, he felt a shiver down his spine. A pair of eyes were tracing his every step.
And if he paid attention, he could also make out another set of quiet footsteps, belonging to his newly found stalker.
He knew exactly who it was. He felt it in his bones.
Gathering all the patience he had left in his body, he took a deep breath and turned around.
Only to see a flash of blonde hair disappear behind a corner he had just turned.
Albus pinched the bridge of his nose as a little yelp echoed in the corridor.
Not subtle at all.
"So," Albus asked, leaning casually against the wall. "What exactly are you doing?"
Scorpius flinched guiltily, as he stood up from where he was crouching.
Albus watched as his cheeks turned pink and he shuffled his feet. "I, well…."
Albus only let out a long suffering sigh, before speaking. "Let's go."
"Go?"
"Breakfast."
"You mean together?" Scorpius questioned. "You and I?" He motioned between the two of them.
Albus cocked an eyebrow. "Who else is here?"
"Aw, Al is that an invitation for lil' ol' me?" A voice exclaimed.
Both boys whirled around, startled. Only to be met with the grinning face of-
"-Fred?!"
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