Albus Potter and the Hidden Tower

Chapter Fourteen: Extended Leave

Albus fully expected to be greeted by the sight of his mother the next morning, but as he pushed open the door he instead found his father talking to Professor Helios. Goosebumps washed over Albus's arms, and for once, he wasn't sure if he was glad to see his father.

Harry turned and took a hard look at his son before sighing. "No offense, Al, but I wasn't hoping to see you so soon." He moved forward and placed his hands on his son's shoulders. "Duxe told me about last night. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Albus muttered. "I don't even really know what happened."

"We're figuring that out, too," Helios affirmed. "We'll let you both know when we do."

"Your safety is paramount," said Harry, peering at his son concernedly. "But we need to talk about the other thing, too."

"It's not what you think." Albus met his father's eyes, hoping he'd believe him.

"That's what everyone tends to say in this kind of situation," Helios commented, his arms folded. "What made you act like you did, Albus?"

"You didn't hear?" Albus asked drily. "Zabini called us all blood traitors."

"That's no excuse," Harry said. "You know we get those comments all the time—"

"Not just us. Scorpius, too."

"Scorpius? Scorpius Malfoy?" Harry demanded.

"Yeah. He's my friend."

Harry stayed silent. "Why didn't you tell me this over break?"

Helios sensed the private nature of the conversation Albus and his father were having, and he moved further away.

"You were at work most of the time." Albus looked down. "It wasn't important."

Harry knelt down. "Albus..." He hesitated. "Whatever animosity Draco Malfoy and I had for each other is irrelevant. We were kids, just like you and these people you're arguing with."

"But you weren't in the same house."

"No, we weren't." Harry glanced behind him at Helios, making sure he wasn't listening in. "Duxe is hard on you because he has to be," he whispered. "It's his job. He can't be partial to you, even if you think you're on the right side, here."

"But—"

"I think you are too," Harry insisted, causing his son to fall into a stunned silence. "I do, really. Scorpius defended you, he didn't instigate. And I imagine the punishment will reflect that, hmm? How much detention did you get?"

"Two weeks," Albus mumbled.

"And Zabini and his friend?"