The Next Generation: Albus Severus Potter

Denial

The summer was a butt load of ass after that early morning conversation.

First of all, I was grounded- Scorpius and Nessa couldn't come over. No electronics. No books.

A pretty harsh punishment. Why not put me in jail now?

Second, I was forced to go to the Burrow every Sunday with my family and socialize. I didn't find the stories about cauldron regulations from Uncle Percy all that important or exciting. That should have been my punishment instead of everything else.

Not that going to the Burrow wasn't enjoyable- it was. I just wasn't a big fan of socialization or anything involving talking to my cousins. We don't get along very well; we used to.

Of course, that was all before I got sorted into Slytherin at age eleven.

It is a well known fact- it might even be on a trivia card somewhere in the universe- that Slytherin and the other three Houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry don't get along well. Ever since the founders created the school, I believe. Nothing had changed.

It's been a thousand years or something. You would have thought that things would change, and that there wouldn't be any prejudice between the Houses.

Please, my cousin Rose is in Ravenclaw. Scorpius, a freaking Slytherin, is dating her. It's enough of a scandal already- besides, Slytherins are supposed to date Slytherins. Despite from the fact of a Malfoy dating a Weasley, the scandal was the only thing people would chat about for a good two months.

Anyway, I was sitting at the kitchen table with Uncle Percy, digesting the main points of why broomsticks are dangerous for children under eight- which, I agree with, considering I nearly broke my arm when I fell off of one when I was six- when he realized I wasn't paying attention.

"You're not enjoying this, are you?" Uncle Percy asked me.

"No offense," I began. "But not really, no."

"I understand that your mother is making you do this. What did you do? I thought when she said something about one of her sons getting into trouble, she meant James."

"Yeah, well, Mum and Dad discovered that I was smoking after I snuck out early in the morning to go smoke a cigarette. James isn't the only one who gets in trouble.

"And Dad was so angry. I mean, I've seen him be stern and all that before, but man, he was pissed. And Mum didn't even yell- she just kind of stood there."

Uncle Percy was silent for a moment or two. He then spoke.

"You know, when I was around... Maybe eighteen or nineteen- just out of Hogwarts, I began to smoke too."

I couldn't believe this. Uncle Percy- one of the most square, boring person that I know- used to smoke? This was all a big ass lie, right?

"No way," I stated, bewildered.

"Yes way," he nodded. "Your Aunt Audrey- she helped me through it when I met her. She was supportive, and loved me through it all. I don't do it anymore. I don't smoke."

I nodded, "It's the only thing that helps me relax. It's a need-"

"It's an addiction."

I shook my head, "No, it's not. It's just something I do-"

"It's an addiction, Al."

I was getting angry now. "It's not! I'm fine!"

I stood up and flood out of the Burrow. I landed at my house, and ran over to my rock.

I smoked three cigarettes. After that, I suddenly erupted in tears for no reason at all. I let the salt water run down my pale face without any trouble at all.

I didn't know what was happening anymore, but I knew something.

Nessa... I loved her. I loved everything about her.

If she found out about this problem, would she leave me? Would she stay with me? Would she help me?

Nessa would help me....

"No she wouldn't," my brain replied. "You're hated, Albus. Go away... Go and die... It's that easy... All you have to do is pull out your wand and say the curse... You know you want to..."

I sighed.

Pulling out my wand, I put it against my head.

"Avada Keda-"

•••

So... The whole thing with Percy is made up. It was just to give it all a little pizzaz.

So...

I want to discuss this right now, okay?

Smoking is not okay. Drugs are not okay. I'm just simply writing this story- and I'm hoping to make a point through it.

I hope that by writing this, I can help people become aware of the dangers of cigarettes and drugs.

I thought that if I do it through well-known characters, people could see just how it can effect somebody, and their family and life.

I hope you enjoyed!