Unspoken Love

28: COMING TO TERMS

DECEMBER 24th

     Over the previous months, Albus had gotten promoted to Editor in Chief of the school paper, normally a position granted to 7th years, but the only remaining 7th year and previous Editor in Chief dropped out of the class to focus on quidditch, leaving Albus to be the next best candidate. He was thrilled and Scorpius was so proud, but it was one more thing that kept them busy and therefore, apart. 

     Scorpius continued hanging around with Dean Beckett, but never alone again. Always with the rest of the quidditch team or some of Deans other friends. Albus couldn't be jealous though, what did he expect Scorpius to do when he was too busy to see him? It was just hard getting used to the thought that Scorpius had another close friend, someone to confide in...

     It was Christmas holiday and like every year on Christmas Eve, everybody was gathered at the burrow for festivities. The warmth of this time of the year never dimmed, the usual twinkle lights were strung around the house, Molly had put multiple Christmas trees around the house additional to the large one that sat in their living room every year. Colorfully wrapped presents rested underneath, many of the parcels shaped like bundles of knit sweaters. The wonderful smell of holiday food filled the sitting room where everyone was squished and gathered, waiting for the Christmas dinner. George, as always, was entertaining the kids with new things from the shop. Rose was assisting Molly in the kitchen beside Ginny and Hermione. Draco was running late, had some things to attend to at work first. Scorpius and Albus were arguing upstairs. 

"I just don't see why you invited him. Dean." Albus said, annoyed. 

"Well he asked what my plans were and I told him and he said it sounded more fun than his Christmas! So I dunno...I just thought it'd be okay!" Scorpius replied anxiously. 

"It's fine," Albus said with a frown, "It's just...Christmas's just feel like our thing. A family thing."

"I know!" Scorpius sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly, "I know, I'm sorry! But he's just coming for brunch thats it! Maybe he'll stick around and play quidditch in the yard but then he's gone, okay?"

"Okay." Albus said calmly. He didn't know why it bothered him so much, and for some reason he kept thinking Well this is just the worst possible time, but he didn't know why. Everything just felt hard and any change was extremely unwanted. Scorpius groaned and put his face into the bedsheets, "Scorpius, it's okay." Albus repeated, not wanting Scorpius to feel guilty. 

"Okay." Scorpius mumbled. Albus had been slightly gloomy ever since they got to the burrow and he didn't know why. He hoped Albus's poor reaction to telling him that Dean Beckett would be joining them for Christmas the next day was just due to his already existing moodiness. 

"Let's go downstairs, I think dinner is being served." Albus said, grabbing Scorpius's hand as he heard plates clattering downstairs. Dean Beckett coming for Christmas day...they never invited other people to Weasley Christmas's...I don't like sharing, Albus thought, trying to remain calm. He didn't want to be so jealous anymore but he could already picture it, being the third wheel.  

"Hello you two!" Molly greeted them as the reached the bottom of the stairs, "Go make your plates up!" The two boys made their way to the kitchen, not speaking to each other and looking straight ahead. Scorpius's stomach was writhing with anxiety as he chanced flitting glances in Albus's direction, just to see the boy frowning and focusing on spooning the smallest amount of everything onto his plate. As Scorpius followed Albus into the sitting room, he noticed Harry sitting alone by one of the windows, peering out solemnly while Ginny ate quietly besides George on separate sides of the room. 

"Al," Scorpius said softly as the two boys sat beside each other on one of the sofa's, "Are your parents okay?" this seemed to have struck a nerve in the young Potter because immediately a gutted frown spread across the brunettes face.