Chapter 4
“So when will you get back?” Albus asked Scorpius as he fiddled with the lace of his converse.
They were on the train home for the summer and Albus was searching for anything to take his mind off it. Scorpius was leaving for France with his father over summer and Albus was a little distraught. He’d been looking forward to having his best friend over and allowing his family to properly get to know him.
“We get back the last week before the beginning of term. We could always meet up then? It still gives us a couple of days.” Scorpius shrugged.
“Yeah.” Albus trailed off.
Scorpius picked up on his lack of enthusiasm and the colour that had drained from his face. “Albus, what’s bothering you?”
“Nothing, I’m fine.” He looked up at Scorpius hiding his discomfort with a smile.
“Is it your family?”
Albus sighed and took his legs off the seat they’d previously been propped up on. “Sort of. They’re just…a lot. Then there’s the usual whole family gathering at Grans. I haven’t seen most of them since…I don’t know.”
Scorpius stood up and went to sit on the opposite seat beside Albus. “It will be fine. Things with your dad are getting better, right?”
“Slowly.” Albus grumbled.
Scorpius smiled, pleased. “See, that’s a start. I’m sure the rest of the family will be okay. After all you’ve tackled your dad and James, it can’t get much worse than that.” He paused with uncertainty, “well, I guess there’s Rose…but…other than that.”
Albus chucked and looked his best friend in the eyes. “Thanks for the certainty, Scorp.”
“No problem.” He stood up and peered out of the window. “I reckon we’re nearly there. Should probably put stuff away.” Scorpius went to gather a pile of books and parchment on his seat.
“Great.”
Once they’d gotten off the train Albus pulled his trunk from beneath and dragged it behind him, looking around for Scorpius who’d been just next to him. He spotted him a couple of metres away and pushed his way past people towards that direction. “Scorp. Here.” He waved.
The blonde boy looked in his direction and waved back, walking back to him. “So…I guess this is it for a few weeks.” He sighed.
“Yeah. You’ll write? I know you’ll be busy in France.” Albus questioned, expectantly.
“Of course.” The boys shared a brief smile and Albus felt his eyes widening slightly.
“Okay then, I should probably go and find dad.” Scorpius started. “You’ll be fine, Albus. It’s nothing you can’t handle.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” He agreed with a grateful grin. “Have fun in France!” Albus yelled as they started to depart.
“I will!” Scorpius yelled back, laughing.
Albus attempted to seek out his parents. It was never too hard, he just had to look in the direction many other eyes were. He continued to look around before he spotted his beaming father and his mother who wore a similar expression. They were also with his aunt and uncle, Ron and Hermione, who seemed to be attracting equal attention. He noticed Lily was already with them and so he slowly walked over, hoping James would get there quickly so they could leave. Rose was next to her mum looking as if she was having an in depth conversation and Ron was laughing along.
As he got closer he was sure his dad had spotted him, and looked back in the direction to check. He was automatically distracted though by a loud greeting in his ear. “Bye, Albus!”
Mateos had passed by and decided to enthusiastically yell in his ear whilst doing so. Albus looked to his right where Mateos had still continued walking but was looking back at Albus, a jovial grin displayed. “Bye.”
He now approached his parents who both managed to beam even more when they noticed him. His mum who was previously in a very animated conversation with Lily looked at his dad with a small encouraging nod.
“Hey, Al.” His dad stepped forward to embrace his son. Albus begrudgingly accepted the hug, and regretfully as he noticed his brother bounding towards them. “Hi, Dad!”
“James, how are you?” He smiled warmly at his eldest son and finally let go of Albus to hug him instead. “Awesome. Also, could Alice stay with us this summer?”
His dad laughed, “You’ll have to ask your mother and obviously Neville. Although we’re setting off to Gran’s earlier this summer. They’ve finished the renovations and there’s more room so we’re going to stay for longer.”
Albus could feel a pit of dread forming in his stomach as he found himself wandering over to his mothers capturing eyes. She was talking alongside Hermione and Ron who were now embracing Hugo. “Albus.” She pulled him towards her and into a tight hug which he accepted more willingly than his fathers. “How are you?”
Albus pulled back and managed a smile. “I’m fine, I guess.”
“That’s good. How has Scorpius been?” His mum squeezed his arm.
“Yeah, he’s good.” Albus looked to his right where the Granger-Weasleys were all speaking as his mother did the same. He accidentally locked eyes with Rose, who had quite clearly been staring at Albus for a little while. In front of their parents Albus knew they had to pretend they were friends, he knew his aunt Hermione would keep nagging Rose otherwise. It was easier if they pretended. That was another problem with his dad teaching at Hogwarts.
“How is…everything?” His aunt looked down at him and asked.
“Okay.”
Hermione beamed at him and nodded. He mustered a smile back and walked back over to his dad and James who seemed ready to leave, as much as he was. Albus knew the immense perturbed kindness from family members was going to drive him crazy over the summer. He’d been off the train for ten minutes and he already felt a bit nauseous from it all. Luckily his dad took a move to leave and both families made their way towards the barrier.
They always borrowed ministry cars, like many other wizarding families, when going to King’s Cross. Albus wasn’t a fan of cars, it always meant he was squashed beside his siblings on a prolonged journey home.
“Let’s hit the road!” His dad declared as he started the car. “Dad, please stop.” James cringed, burying his face in his hands.
“Sorry.” He grinned. There was a long held silence in the car before his dad decided to speak again, obviously with a question he’d been pondering. “So…Albus.” Albus looked away from the window he’d been staring out of and towards him. His dad continued, “who was that boy you were waving bye to on the platform?”
Albus thought back to when he was with Scorpius again, downcast as he said goodbye. “You mean Scorpius?”
His dad shook his head. “No, another boy. Darker hair?” Oh, he was talking about Mateos.
“That was Mateos.” Albus shrugged and went back to staring intensely out of the window.
“Is he one of your friends?” Harry continued to probe. “What’s his surname, do I know his parents?”
Albus hated this. So much. “Mateos Zabini and yeah, I suppose we’re friends.” His parents never cared when James or Lily made new friends, he was certain they weren’t even sure who half of their friends were. When he looked back at his dad, after no response, he noticed his parents exchanging glances. Similar to those when he’d told them about Scorpius. “Dad, he’s a good person.”
“Yes, I’m sure he is. I’m glad you’re making more friends Al.” His dad responded, sounding too happy. That was until James felt obliged to interfere.
“Although, I’m not sure Al is too great at figuring out if someone is a good person or not.” He grinned and looked at his brother. Albus knew James was bound to mention the party at some point, but being trapped in a car with his whole family was not where he wanted it to be told.
“James Potter. What did I tell you about mentioning-.” His mother started to say.
“No, not Delphi…” Just awkwardly added.
“James, what do you mean?” His dad sounded a lot sterner now.
James seemed to be regretting making his parents angry, realising he’d now have to tell them what had happened. “So…you know Slughorn’s incredibly dull parties? Well he held one a couple of nights ago and we all attended.” Albus noticed his dad perk up a little, knowing that his son had attended. “Well, I saw Albus with a group of Slytherins, some of them I recognised because we-“
“James, get to the point.” Their mum sighed.
“Al got spiked with some badly made veritaserum.” He hurriedly spat out. Albus looked over at James, who was sinking further into his seat, as if he felt responsible.
“Al got- what?” His dad was struggling to find the words to speak. “Why have we only just found out about this? Albus, are you okay?” He demanded and almost turned around to look at his son, before releasing he was still driving.
James continued to ramble, “he’s fine, we took him to Madame Pomfrey and she just reversed the potion. Although he was pretty out of it for a while, I had to stop him from speaking way too many times.”
Ginny turned around to look at Albus, her soft eyes meeting his. She placed her hand on his knee and exhaled a deep breath. “Honestly, Albus. Are you okay?”
“Yes.” He partly lied.
After another hour of a tedious car ride, mostly consisting of quidditch talk, they finally made it home. Albus always missed his home deeply when at Hogwarts, although he never really noticed it until he actually got home. He slid his worn, battered trunk out from the car boot and dragged it up the driveway, slightly behind James and Lily who had eagerly bounded up to the house. He heard his sister squeal as she pushed open the azure coloured door dramatically. “Teddy!” James yelled.
Albus slowly continued to drag his case up to the house and abandoned it by the door as he saw his blue haired brother squeezing Lily tightly and James grinning ear to ear next to them. “How are you guys!?” Teddy exclaimed at the three as he noticed Albus join them.
Albus grinned at him, feeling fully content for the first time in a while. He walked closer to him as he released Lily from his grip and quickly enveloped both Albus and James into another tight hug. He realised that Teddy was all he needed right now. Someone who spared the pitiful looks and always put the past behind them. Someone who looked at Albus the same way they did when he was younger, before everything else had happened. He missed that, when people didn’t seem concerned every time he saw them glancing.
“I missed you guys so much.” Teddy smiled and let go of the two boys, ruffling Albus’ hair as he did so.
“You too.” Albus smiled back .
The first week of the holidays was a relatively boring one and Albus had spent most of his time up in his bedroom. James and Lily had been continuously practising quidditch all week, which Albus knew due to the continuous screaming he’d heard from outside his bedroom window. Teddy was still with them and would be staying at Grans as well. He’d been the first person Albus bumped into on his way downstairs that morning.
“Oh, hey.” He greeted Albus, who noticed he was carrying a vast amount of socks. “Hey.” He rubbed his eyes, still half asleep.
“Are you packed?”
They were meant to be leaving for the burrow that morning and Albus hadn’t even found a bag to put clothes in, let alone figured out what he was taking. “Nope. I’ll start soon.”
Teddy raised his eyebrows laughing, “you’ve not even started?” Albus grinned and continued down the stairs into the kitchen, where the rest of his family were seated.
James had his arms rested on the kitchen table, with his head slouched upon them and seemed to be lacking a shirt. Lily was prancing about the kitchen, as per usual and buttering a slice of toast at the same time.
“Morning, Al.” His mum looked up from the magazine she was reading and took a sip of coffee. “This article really is a load of rubbish.” She laughed. “Harry Potter and Ginny Potter spotted buying their weekly shop, recently.” She said in a mock voice.
“Honestly we can’t even buy some bread without the papers publishing it. Although, I don’t look too bad in that picture.” She held the magazine up to show Harry who was pouring himself a cup of coffee. “You look lovely as always.” Harry kissed her on the head as Albus took a seat next to his brother feeling extremely exhausted. He rested his head in his hands.
“What’s wrong with you?” Lily mused at him almost immediately, now spinning around in circles and eating the toast she’d previously buttered.
“Lily, please sit down whilst you’re eating.” Ginny remarked.
James answered Lily's previous question, “He’s been a whole week without Scorpius moping in his bedroom, so he’s probably decomposing or something.”
Albus glared up at his brother, attempting to give him the finger out of his mum's view. “James, that’s enough.” Harry interfered.
“But he just-“ James protested.
“Enough.”
James stopped and went back to laying his head on the table. “Are you packed, Al?” His mum asked.
“Er, yeah. I just need to finish packing a few things.” He lied, unfortunately enough, just as Teddy emerged from upstairs. He looked between Albus and Ginny before he began to speak.
“That’s funny, you told me you hadn’t started about five minutes ago.” He grinned, then left the room again.
“Albus.” Ginny chastised. “Eat something and go and pack straight away.”
Albus pushed back on his chair, going to stand up. “Not hungry.”
“Go and pack then.” James uttered bitterly.
“Yeah that’s what I’m doing.” He spat back.
Albus stormed up the stairs indignantly as he heard his mother continuing to speak behind him. “James, If you keep winding your brother up like that you’re not coming along.”
Albus had completely given up with packing, he hated how it reminded him of going back to Hogwarts even if he wasn’t. He threw the last top in his bag and zipped it up, deciding that he had a sufficient amount of clothes for a week.
Just as he was about to kick the bag to the other side of the room there was a knock on his door and his mum pushed it open. “Hi.”
“I’m done.” He sighed and grabbed the bag off the floor. “That was quick.”
“Yeah.” He deadpanned.
He adjusted his position so he was leant up against the wall beside his bed. His mum walked further into the room, inspecting the mess of clothes on the floor, and joined him on the bed. “How are you feeling?”
Albus was already sick of that question and they were only a week into the holidays. “Please stop asking me that.”
His mum turned towards him, “sorry, I’ll stop.” The room regained the uncomfortable silence.
“This weeks going to be fine, you know?”
Albus wasn’t sure how she read straight through him, as if he was a book. “I know.”
“Al, I don’t think you do. I can practically see it written on your face.” His mum draped an arm around him lovingly.
“It’s just…” Albus started to say, unsure of where he was going.
“Everyone can be a bit much sometimes, you know?” His mum laughed and squeezed him tighter. “Trust me Albus, I know.”
“I just don’t want everyone looking at me as if I’m a completely different person. Because I’m not mum, I’m not.” He sniffed.
“I know, Albie.” There was a little more silences
“You’ll always be the sweet little boy everyone knows and loves, because that’s what they think when they see you. Not anything else. They remember little Albus crying over losing his teddy bear and drawing them pictures with his new crayons. Trust me, nothing you do will change that.”
“What if I was to murder someone?” Albus grinned up at his mum, wiping away the tears that had streamed down his face.
Ginny grimaced, still smiling. “Okay. There may be a few exceptions.” She laughed and sat there for a little while with him.
“We should probably go down soon. Your dad actually sent me up here to tell you all we’re leaving. He’s probably getting a little mad now, you know how he gets.” Ginny smirked.
“Yup…I know.”
The Potters managed to arrive at the borrow around two hours later than intended, after everyone ensued into chaos when James couldn’t find his wand and turned the whole house upside down looking for it.
“Finally, Ginny! Honestly, two hours late?” Molly cried after she’d swung open the front door to invite the family in. Albus stumbled forward through the door as James shoved him from behind as an indication to move. “Sorry mum. We had a lost wand.”
“Well dinner will be ready soon enough, so come in.” She hugged Ginny tightly and moved out the way to let everyone further in. “Leave your bags in the hallway for now, I’ll let you know sleeping arrangements later.”
Albus deposited his bag on top of the hefty pile that was already by his feet, left from the rest of his family. He knew the entire extended family was staying for a couple of nights and the Potters and Granger-Weasleys were staying the week (much to his delight).
The family had started to disperse through the house in search of cousins, James obviously running off to find Fred and Louis. Lily raced upstairs to look for Hugo. Albus was unsure of where to go, so he followed his parents and Teddy through to the kitchen ready for the dreaded bombarding of aunts and uncles.
“Look who’s finally here.” He heard his uncle Ron erupt as they all filtered into the kitchen.
“You were only here on time because you’re married to Hermione.” His mum scowled.
Albus squeezed through the doorway so that he was also standing in the kitchen alongside everyone else, still hiding slightly behind Teddy. Though he noticed Victorie standing up at the sight of her boyfriend and making her way over, so Albus edged closer to his dad not wanting to interrupt anything.
“How are my favourite family members doing?” His aunt Fleur stood to kiss his mum on the cheek and hug his dad. “We’re great.” His dad smiled widely.
Both his parents moved forward to grab an empty seat from the table and Albus wasn’t sure if he should follow or just go and find James. Though his question was swiftly answered.
“How are you, Al? Is school good?” He turned to face his Uncle Charlie who had been sitting just to his right. Albus smiled politely at him and decided to take the empty chair next to his.
“Yeah I’m okay. School is fine, I guess.” He responded, bluntly.
“That’s good.” Charlie paused. “Don’t feel like hanging out with your cousins?”
Albus sighed, “not particularly.” Charlie grinned at him knowingly.
“I get it. It’s a big family, they can be a lot.”
Albus wanted to add that it was more than that. He wanted to say it had been fine before Hogwarts. “Albus.” He could hear the loud tone of his aunt Hermione and looked over at her. She was congregated in the corner with the rest of his aunts who were all looking at him now.
“Rose is upstairs somewhere if you were wondering. They were all in the new bedroom, I’m sure you can find it.”
Albus sighed, he knew this would happen. He was going to protest and say he was fine there until his mother added. “Yes, Al. Go and speak to your cousins. Sorry Charlie.”
His uncle Charlie waved his hand up signalling it was fine and Albus reluctantly stood up and disparagingly walked out.
The house wasn’t too different downstairs and he crept up the stairs that still seemed to creak with every step you took. The house had been painted a new lime green colour and there were brightly moving pictures hung up the walls, mostly featuring him and his cousins. The landing had clearly been extended and there was a new corridor that led to the back of the house and Albus assumed that’s where he would find everyone. He considered locking himself in the bathroom for a moment, but that would be obvious as soon as someone mentioned to his parents they hadn’t seen him- so he continued down the corridor.
He could already hear a loud explosion of noises coming from a few doors down and it was obvious most of his cousins were in there. He could feel the anxiety forming in his stomach as he stepped forward and pushed the door open.
Inside, just as he’d expected, there sat all ten of his cousins and siblings. He awkwardly stood there, as everyone off them turned their heads towards where he’d just walked in, now suddenly silenced. “Oh, it’s you.” A slightly disappointed Louis sounded.
Albus scoffed at his cousin and sat down next to James. “Yeah, well Teddy’s downstairs if you’re that desperate.”
“Did mum force you to join us?” James guessed correctly in an irritated voice.
“Yeah.”
“Knew it.”
There was an awkward silence in the room, one that most definitely hadn’t been there before Albus entered. Lily was spread out on a bed at the end of the room, alongside Roxanne, Lucy, Dom and Molly. Louis and Fred were leant up against the wall beside James- where Albus had just sat- and Rose and Hugo were in similar positions across the room.
Fred finally broke the silence, “Let’s just continue it.”
“Yeah. Roxy, it's your turn.” James yelled across the room, then turned towards Albus. “We’re playing truth or dare.”
Albus nodded slowly, absolutely dreading what was in store for him. “Okay.” He heard Roxanne start.
“I'm going to pick James.” She grinned at his brother who smugly sat beside him.
“Truth.”
Roxanne paused, looking around the room trying to conjure up a question. “Okay, who was the last person in the room you spoke shit about?”
James rubbed his hands together trying his best to build tension but dramatically failing. He searched the room as if trying to remember and then spun round to look Albus in the eyes. “That would be you, Al.” He nudged him lightly grinning.
“Woah, what a surprise.” Albus replied dryly, not caring to know what James had said about him.
“Only mum, don’t worry. She was complaining that you weren’t packed so I had my say.”
Dom groaned from across the room, “that was the most boring one ever, we all knew the answer.”
Albus tried not to look too offended and sunk further against the wall. “James, pick someone.”
“Hmm, I’ll go with my dear brother.” James nudged him again, picking who he’d ask his question to.
“Who was your last kiss?” He smirked, obviously expecting not to get an answer from him.
Albus hesitated slightly not knowing if he should tell the truth. He thought it might make everyone in the room think slightly more of him if he did tell the truth. Then again…
“Erm…” He felt like he couldn’t say it.
“Albus, I know you haven’t kissed anyone, I’m kidding.” He could hear chuckles from surrounding cousins, he hated this so much. He hated this stupid game, and James’ stupid questions.
“Delphi.” He spat out quickly, unaware if anyone was actually listening after having given up on the idea he’d actually kissed anyone.
“Oh.”
James had heard him. Judging by the sudden silence in the room, everyone else had as well. Albus could feel his head rate increasing dramatically. He could feel his hands getting wetter, causing an uncomfortable feeling as he clenched his fists. He started to feel slightly dizzy. He definitely had to get out of that room, before everything came back.
He supported himself, resting against the wall as he slid up it- standing up. He tried moving forward towards the door but was struggling, his head spinning too quickly.
“Al.”
James grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room, away from the staring eyes.
“You fucking kissed her?” He questioned as soon as they’d stepped out, almost pining Albus against the wall.
Albus gasped for air, trying to communicate to his oblivious brother that he was struggling to breath.
“James. I can’t brea-.”
James finally understood him and let go, though still supporting him by the arm. “Shit. Come on, let’s go to mum, quickly. I’m not very good at this, I’m so sorry.” He sounded panicked, and supported Albus down the stairs towards the kitchen.
Both boys bustled in and James let him go to let their mum know what had happened. Albus was still having trouble standing and could barely hear the voices of his family in the background. He was aware a few were giving his nervous glances and he tried to get out of the room- all of the eyes making it worse.
He could now feel another person holding onto him, presumably his mum. It was too late though, by now everything was coming back. Way more vividly than Albus wanted it to.
He felt as if he was back in one of his dreams. Lying helplessly on the floor, the mess of a maze obstructing his view of anyone else- he was trapped within it. Except it was much worse than that. The screaming was back, the recognisable screams of his best friend.
“Albus.” There was another yell, a wail, and a flash of light that hit Scorpius directly in the chest. He curled over in pain, completely collapsed on the floor unable to move a bone. There was an evil cackle of Delphi above him. Her blue hair whipping in the wind and showcasing her supposed glory.
“Albus.”
He was helpless.
“ALBUS.”
All he could do was lay there.
“Albus, please.”
And watch his best friend.
Suffer.
“Albus.”
“Al.” A strong hand was firmly shaking him. He jumped aggressively; it hadn’t been real. His mum was almost shaking as much as he was now, she was bent down on the floor next to him. He realised he’d collapsed without having realised and as he held a hand up to his face it felt wet. He’d clearly been crying too. He was unsure of how long he’d been out.
“Al, can you hear me?” His mother had a small tear running down her face. His dad stood next to her, a fierce look of concern was plastered on his face and he had a hand of comfort resting on her shoulder.
“Yes, I can.” He mumbled and looked around the room. There was also a bundle of family members at the door, peering down at him. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to go home, he wanted to go back to normal. Back to Scorpius.