Albus/Scorpius: As Long As I've Got You By My Side

September the First

It was a crisp September morning; the most exciting First of September that many 11-year-olds had ever experienced. The train had started moving, but Albus Severus Potter still hadn't found a compartment to sit in. After being promptly refused when he asked to sit with his brother James and his friends, and being unable to find his cousin Rose, Albus was becoming desperate. As he walked past one compartment after another, all filled with chattering students, he started to panic. Finally, he came to a compartment that seemed to be empty and stepped in. A boy with white-blonde hair who looked about Albus' age was sitting in a corner of the compartment, reading The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1. He looked up at Albus, who noticed his penetrating grey eyes immediately. "You don't want to sit here", the boy said with a sigh. Confused, Albus said,

"Why wouldn't I-?"

"-At least you won't after I tell you my name, and you're going to ask what it is, aren't you?", the boy interrupted him.

"Oh, come on, it can't be worse than mine", said Albus, cracking a smile. "I'm Albus Severus Potter, but you can call me Al". He stuck out his hand to the other boy, who took it gingerly and shook it and gave another sigh.

"I'm Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy", he said, wrinkling his nose in a fashion Albus couldn't help but find adorable.

"I'm still confused", he said. "Why wouldn't I want to sit with you just because of your name?"

"Because I'm a Malfoy, of course", said Scorpius. "I've already been shunned by every person I've met so far, and it's barely been ten minutes". His voice cracked at the last few words in a way that broke Albus's heart. He couldn't see how anyone would be rude to this poor, sweet boy. He seemed like a lovely person, despite what poor choices his family members might've made in the past.

"So what if you're a Malfoy?", Albus said indignantly, plopping down next to Scorpius. "I'm not leaving!"

"Un-unless you want me to of course...", he said, looking shyly at the other boy.

"No, please stay!", cried Scorpius, louder than he'd meant to. Albus chuckled, and Scorpius gave him a small smile in return. They began to talk about what life would be like at Hogwarts, about Quidditch, and which houses they might be sorted into. Finally, Albus threw his arms around Scorpius and cried, "Oh, I hope we're in the same house!".

Thus began an unbreakable friendship.

SSS

Once the train arrived at Hogwarts, Albus and Scorpius boarded the same boat, and got their first good look at the castle. "It's beautiful", marvelled Scorpius, leaning over the edge of the boat to get a better look. He lost his balance and almost fell in the lake, but Albus caught him around the middle and pulled him back into the boat, both of them laughing.

Inside the castle, in the Great Hall stood all the first years. Shivering and shaking, whether from cold or nerves it was unclear, Scorpius Malfoy stayed in the back of the group with Albus, who noticed his friend was looking rather pale and shaky. Reaching for Scorpius' hand, he whispered in his ear, "It's gonna be alright". The blond-haired boy gripped Albus' hand as if for dear life, and the other boy squeezed back.
=(-)=
"SLYTHERIN", cried the Sorting Hat. Scorpius sat down, but his face expression was still one of terror. Albus locked eyes with his friend, and they exchanged a look of fearful anticipation.
=(-)=
What have we here? The Sorting Hat spoke in Albus' mind. Brave, but not reckless like some of your family members. Gryffindor is not the place for you. Ravenclaw, maybe...or Hufflepuff...you've got a kindness about you, but you aren't one to be crossed...I see cunning and ambition, a thirst to prove yourself, much like your father has. Yes, I know exactly where to put you. In "SLYTHERIN!"

Albus sat down next to Scorpius at the Slytherin table. The whole world seemed to come back into focus when he looked into his friend's face, shining with happiness. And so began the feast.

SSS

"Bloody hell, James, your freak brother's a Slytherin!", yelled Sammy Jordan. "And he's friends with that slimy Malfoy boy!"

"Oh, shut it, it's only their first day!", sighed James, sounding exasperated at his friend's rudeness.

He pulled his brother to the side and said quietly, "Don't mind him, he hates all of Slytherin house, especially the Malfoys. This friend of yours, Scorpius is it?" Albus nodded. "Yeah, his grandfather, Lucius? He hurt some of Sammy's family members pretty badly", James continued. "Scorpius doesn't seem like that bad a person himself. Just remember: don't listen to anyone who is rude to you...or Scorpius, I suppose. Hold your head high and remember who your real friends are." Patting Albus on the shoulder, he said, "Run along now, young serpent", and ran off laughing. Feeling rather taken aback, Albus sat back down to his pudding, edging closer to Scorpius.

They made it through the feast with only a few less-than-friendly comments from their classmates.

SSS

"Al?", said a small voice. Sitting up in bed, Albus looked through his drapes at his best friend's pale face that seemed to glow in the greenish moonlight that came from the window just below the surface of the Black Lake. "I couldn't sleep", said Scorpius. "Come on in, then!", said Albus, motioning towards his bed. Tentatively, the other boy climbed in, trying to give his friend as much space as possible. Groaning with frustration, Albus rolled over and put his arms around Scorpius. "I don't bite, you know", he said. "Yeah, I suppose not", said Scorpius. He put his arms around Albus' neck and pressed their foreheads together, finally feeling at ease. Drifting off to sleep, he figured that he could handle anything that was to come this year. As long as Albus was by his side.