Ice and Emeralds (A Scorbus Story)

- Chapter Five -

As Scorpius Malfoy tossed and turned, he thought of what it felt like to kiss Albus Severus Potter. 

He thought of how it was easy, natural, and deeply satisfying. Compared to a kiss from Rose Granger-Weasley, Scorpius instantly knew which one he preferred. Kissing Rose was nothing like kissing Albus. Her lips were not nearly as gentle. They didn't taste as sweet. Albus's skin, Scorpius thought dreamily, was burning hot and smelled like wood smoke and parchment. His lips were velvet-soft.

Scorpius couldn't believe it. He liked Albus. The idea was so ridiculous it nearly made him laugh aloud.

Yet, it made perfect sense. Albus had been the first and best friend he ever had. He had stood by Scorpius when no one else did. Albus had been there for him when his mother, Astoria, passed away. They'd been through thick and thin together. When it really came down to it, Albus was the one who made Scorpius happy. No matter how many friends he'd made at Hogwarts in the past eighteen months, Scorpius knew he'd always run back to Albus. Deep down, it was the boy sleeping in the next bed over that Scorpius needed the most.

But there was still Rose. He was shocked at how quickly and easily his feelings had changed. Less than an hour ago, he loved her with all his heart. Now, he questioned the way he felt about her. Scorpius knew he would have to break up with Rose. It wasn't fair to go on being her boyfriend when he felt this way about Albus. He would have to tell her about the kiss. He'd have to tell her they couldn't be together anymore. It pained Scorpius to even think of hurting her but the alternative was worse. 

Rolling over, Scorpius miserably wondered why Albus had turned his back on him after they had kissed. Was he angry? Did he resent Scorpius for cheating on Rose? Was it possible he didn't enjoy the kiss?
Though it took hours, the night eventually dragged him into unconsciousness.

The next morning, Scorpius woke at his usual early hour. He dressed in sleepy silence as the Sun prepared to rise. Pulling his school robes over his head and tying his shoes, he gingerly pulled Albus's bed curtains open. Albus, stirring not, lay flat on his stomach, untidy brown hair hiding most of his face. His shoulders rose and fell slowly with his breaths. Scorpius felt an overwhelming wave of affection. Resting a hand on Albus's back, he whispered, "Good morning."

Albus's eyes opened groggily beneath his messy hair. "I'm up," he muttered grouchily.

Scorpius smiled and gave his shoulder a squeeze. Then he went to wake the other boys, feeling a warm sense of hope.

Breakfast was a quiet affair. Everyone at the Slytherin table seemed tired and unenthusiastic about the upcoming day of lessons. Albus said very little. He refused to look at Scorpius or speak to him. Any glee Scorpius had from that morning was gone. It seemed the kiss had only made things awkward between himself and his best friend.
Scorpius had to put a conscious effort into avoiding Rose that day. He would delay breaking her heart until he absolutely had to.

In the meantime, he had to put up with Albus's unhappiness. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't think of joke funny enough to cheer him up. Albus was content with keeping to himself and resisting Scorpius's attempts at conversation. Knowing he shouldn't discuss the kiss in public, Scorpius accepted the fact that he'd have to wait until that night to have a proper talk with Albus.

By the time last period rolled around, Scorpius realized the Slytherins had Care of Magical Creatures with the Gryffindors. Rose would be there and everyone would expect them to be glued to each other's side. He found himself hiding out in the library, working on his Potions homework and hoping Madam Pince wouldn't notice him sitting there.

Scorpius skipped dinner and continued to work in the library, now avoiding both Albus and his girlfriend. He had successfully completed his Potions essay, practiced Vanishing Charms, and explained in one roll of parchment why the giant wars of 1764 were significant. Ignoring his own hunger, Scorpius put his work away and headed for the common room.

He approached a portrait of a portly man with thinning hair. He was Horace Slughorn, a former head of Slytherin house. It was Slughorn who had once revealed to Harry Potter a young Tom Riddle's interest in Horcruxes and his desire to split his own soul seven times.

"Merlin's beard," Scorpius muttered to Slughorn, who nodded lazily as his portrait swung open to reveal a hole, through which Scorpius climbed.
Albus was nowhere to be seen. Scorpius felt somewhat relieved. He had no clue how he was going to explain his feelings to him.

Scorpius had barely crossed the threshold of the common room when Noah came bounding towards him, clutching a letter.

"Hi Scorpius," he said airily. "Your owl came in at dinner, but you weren't there. She brought you this."

Noah handed him a slightly damp envelope. He took it gratefully and thanked Noah.
Walking over to an armchair by the fireplace, Scorpius opened the letter, which was addressed to him in Draco Malfoy's neat cursive. Tossing the envelope aside, he began to read the letter from his father.

Dear Scorpius,

I know it hasn't been long since I last wrote to you, but I suppose I just wanted to talk to you again. How is everything? I know homework must be taking up most of your time. I remember my fifth year. My teachers never once stopped pressuring us about O.W.L.s. However, knowing you, you're probably ahead on most of your assignments. I know you'll do very well.

I must say I look forward to you coming home in a few months. This big old house feels lonelier all the time without you. I'm very excited for the new arrival, but I still miss my son.

Please write back soon.

With love,

Your father

Scorpius frowned at the letter. His father had been writing to him a lot more often in the past few months. He received a letter every week. They all sounded the same, wanting to know how he was doing, telling him he missed him. Scorpius imagined Draco, sitting alone at Malfoy Manor, no one to keep him company, and felt a pang of guilt. His father must be unhappy. Why else would he be writing all the time? He was lonely. Scorpius stared into the fire. He should go home that weekend and visit him. The new arrival must have been causing him to feel stressed. He probably needed his son now more than ever.

Glancing at the door to the dorm, Scorpius wanted more than anything to go tell Albus. Unfortunately, he and Albus were not on the best of terms. With a miserable sigh, Scorpius realized how much he missed his friend. Getting up, he strode into the dorm, determined to talk to Albus if he had to jinx him into doing it.

He marched over to Albus's bed and found the bed curtain draw tightly shut. Unable to resist, he peeked through them only to find an empty bed.

Scorpius shook his head bitterly and snatched A History of Magic off his nightstand. He flipped irritably through the pages as the night wore on.

A few hours had passed. Most of the other boys had turned their lamps off and went to bed. Scorpius got up to check the common room for Albus for about the eighth time. No sign of him. Albus didn't return for the rest of the night.