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

A Tumultuous Turn of Events

As the winter holidays came around, Albus and Scorpius were finding that their second year at Hogwarts was not much different from the first. Scorpius was going to spend all of the time off from school with his family, rather than going to visit Albus and his family for a few days like he had the previous year. He wanted to spend as much time with his mother as possible, for her health was slowly declining and the Healers at St. Mungo's still had no idea what was causing her illness. Upon hearing this, Albus responded with indignation, but soon recovered with a few words of reassurance from his friend.

"Are you saying that I won't see you again until after the new year?", cried Albus.

"Of course not, don't be silly!", said Scorpius. "I never said that you couldn't come visit me".

"Oh. Right", Albus replied.

Suddenly, he realized how insensitive his original reply had sounded. Sheepishly, he looked down at his feet, and said, "And I suppose that even if you did say I couldn't come visit you, I would understand. Your mother is ill, and she is much more important than me. I was being selfish".

"Oh, Albus, don't say that", said Scorpius hurriedly. "You're not selfish at all. And anyway, I couldn't imagine the holidays without you, regardless of where we spend them".

Finally, Albus looked up at his friend, a small smile creeping onto his face.

"You'd miss me too, then?", he said teasingly, poking Scorpius in the stomach.

Scorpius noticed the underlying vulnerability in his voice, however, and pulled him in for a hug.

"Naturally", he said softly, burying his face in Albus's neck.

In response, Albus gave a contented sigh and hugged Scorpius back. He knew that Scorpius wouldn't lie to him, even though he sometimes had trouble understanding how he could be telling the truth...

SSS

When the time finally came for Albus to visit Scorpius, he was absolutely ecstatic. Christmas had just passed, and he couldn't wait to hear what Scorpius thought of his presents from Albus: a traditional Weasley jumper made by his Grandma Molly and an enchanted model of a Common Welsh dragon- it was basically a tiny and harmless version of the real thing. He practically jumped into Scorpius's arms as soon as he tumbled out of the fireplace in the Malfoys' living room, the other boy greeting him with equal enthusiasm. He greeted Draco and Astoria after a few more moments of hugging, making sure to ask how Astoria was doing as far as her health was concerned. She seemed gratified at his obvious concern, and reassured him that she would be fine.

"What a kind young man you are", she smiled down at Albus.

The twinkle in her eyes as she watched him and her son leave the room was from the utmost happiness, for she knew that Scorpius would be in good hands as long as he was with Albus. If I am to leave this earth as soon as I fear, she thought, at least I know that Scorpius already has someone who loves him more than he can possibly imagine.

=(-)=

Albus and Scorpius spent the next few days alternating between staying in the house and going outside, between playing in the snow and quietly talking by the fire, and just thoroughly enjoying themselves in general. Their joy was infectious, and soon Draco and Astoria found themselves worrying less about Astoria's health, and simply enjoying the holidays with their son and his best friend.

Before they knew it, New Year's Eve had come. It was eleven o'clock at night, and the Malfoys, joined by Albus, were preparing to ring in the new year. Draco was pouring champagne into two glasses for himself and Astoria, who was watching Albus and Scorpius fondly. The two boys were compiling a list of New Year's resolutions that neither of them really expected to follow.