Harry Potter and the Legend of the Twelve

The Stone

Albus was lying on his bed, alone in his dorm. He had no more classes after Potions, which he had missed, so he stayed clear of everyone for the afternoon. After things had calmed down, Albus's old worry that he could hurt someone with one of his episodes began to come back. It was worse though, what had happened with Scorpius was an accident, he hadn't meant it, but if no one had been there to stop him, he was afraid he would have really hurt him.

It was dinnertime, and everyone was in the Great Hall. Albus didn't feel much like eating after the events of the day. He stared at the canopy of his four-poster, trying not to think of anything. He had done all the homework he needed to, and was just killing time until he had to meet Hagrid at nine o'clock.

The door of the dorm suddenly burst open, and the room was flooded with the New Marauders. James, Jason, Danny, and Rose all came in.

"What happened, Al?" asked James. "Carly said you got detention, but she wouldn't say why. Hugo and Lily were telling us, but it sounded like they mixed it up."

"Yeah, I have a hard time believing the story they told," said Rose with a laugh.

"What did they say?" asked Albus flatly.

"They said Scorpius attacked Carly," said Jason.

"Then they said you hit him with an Expelliarmus and broke his arm," Danny continued.

"I told them they must have got it wrong," said James.

"I told them you would never do that," Rose added.

Albus was quiet for a moment. "That's what happened," he whispered.

"Wicked," said the three boys in unison.

"It's not," exclaimed Albus, almost yelling, and leaping from his bed. "I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't mean to hurt him, but I couldn't let him hurt her. I can't let that happen, I..."

For a moment, Albus thought he knew what he was going to say, but it was like the next words had been ripped from his mind, and he had no idea what he had intended to say. "I'm going for a walk, before I have to meet Hagrid," said Albus.

Albus grabbed his cloak, and headed out the door at a brisk walk, nearly a run. He went down the stairs, across the Common Room, out the portrait hole, and didn't slow down until he was outside on the grounds by the lake, panting from running so far. He heard nothing and saw nothing as he ran, as if he had tunnel vision, and getting away was all he could think about. He finally stopped by the tree at the edge of the lake. For a moment, all he heard was his own heart pounding in his ears.

He suddenly heard someone yell from behind him. "Are you deaf, I told you to slow down!" It was Rose, who a moment later was at his side panting from running all that way.

"Al, what's wrong with you?" demanded Rose.

"I don't know," said Albus shakily. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

A couple of minutes later, they had both caught their breath, and Rose put her hand on Albus's shoulder. "Al, I almost can't believe I'm asking you this, but are you in love with Carly?" asked Rose.

"I don't know. I'm only eleven years old, I shouldn't be in love, should I?" asked Albus, panic, confusion, and exasperation all dripping from his voice.

"How many times has my dad told us the story of how your mum fell in love with your dad the first time she saw him?" asked Rose. "I can't remember how many times I've heard it. He said it took your dad five years to realize he loved your mum."

"So?" said Albus, not really understanding his best friend's point.

"So, Al, everyone is different," Rose explained. "You're probably right, most eleven year olds don't fall in love, not really anyway. I really fancy Danny, but I don't think I'm in love with him. Someday...maybe...possibly...but well...what was my point? Oh, yeah, it's all right, Al."