Unspoken Love

31: FRANCE

JUNE 22nd

"I can't believe our parents are actually letting us go by ourselves." Albus said, stuffing clothes into his trunk, emptying out his place in the dormitory as a new 6th year would inhabit this space next year. 

     The year was finally over, much to Albus's relief. Despite the drama, it had proved to be one of the best years he'd ever spent at Hogwarts. He had a group of friends, was editor of the paper, his boyfriend got scouted officially, and the only thing keeping Albus from being a certifiable tattoo artist was his age, he already had immense skill under his belt and this year had been a great experience, he had met so many new people and broadened his horizons to extend outside of school life. 

     Rose learned through her parents that Ginny and Harry were dealing with slight marital problems and Ginny had been staying with Ron and Hermione now and then, that explained the mail. As much as it worried Albus and especially Lily, Albus decided he would make himself so busy this summer that he wouldn't even notice his parent's current situation. Which is why he had asked his parents for permission for him and Scorpius to go on a little trip together for the beginning of the summer, just them alone. Either out of guilt for hiding the separation, or in an efforts to further hide the separation, they agreed. So did Draco, easily, he trusted his son more than anyone. 

     They were planning on leaving the afternoon of their third day home, just enough time to pack and see their family for a day or two, mostly upon Scorpius's request because Albus would rather avoid his parental drama for as long as he could. 

"Is it cliche that we're going to France?" Scorpius laughed, sitting on top of his trunk to buckle it. 

"Hey! I'm okay with being cliche! I've never been there, you can show me around," Albus said, pinching Scorpius in the side. Scorpius and Draco had traveled to the French countryside many times. Astoria loved it there and after she passed, the two kept going every so often, "And besides, it's the only place I could think of that was far away enough that it would be fun, and close enough for my parents to agree." 

"And using mine and Dad's place up there is also convenient." Scorpius remarked. He was excited to show Albus around and spend time with him alone, especially in their vacation manor which already held so many great memories, he was glad to add some more. 

"Have you brushed up on your french?" Scorpius teased, knowing full well that Albus had struggled through French class miserably. 

"Ha. Ha. You're doing all the talking there so I hope you've brushed up." Albus said, raising his eyebrows. Rose walked into the room at that moment, dragging her trunk behind her. 

"Hey, ready to go down to the train?" she asked, picking up Queenie's carrier in which the white cat was softly mewing inside. She would be cat-sitting for the boys while they were gone. They grunted in response as they got to their feet before following the redhead down to the train platform where the Hogwarts Express was waiting for them to board, puffing smoke from the steam generator and its chimney. 

"Can you believe it?" Rose asked with a dreamy sigh as she handed off her trunk to a man loading luggage, "We're going to be seventh years. Only one year until we're expected to...you know, go out and live like adults." she seemed slightly scared but all the while completely exhilarated thinking about it. 

"It is kinda cool, actually." Albus found himself saying, earning a proud smile from Scorpius. Albus used to think he would never feel calm about what the future held, but life so far had proved that greatness came from the unexpected and he was feeling secure in his abilities now more than ever. 

     Luckily they were able to find a compartment to themselves and they settled on the train comfortably, Rose cracking open a book for the journey and Albus and Scorpius taking a gander at brochures and travel magazines, planning the details of their French excursion.