A hufflepuff friendship

Chapter 9

ALBUS' POV
I woke up in bed the next morning with the covers wrapped around me carefully. Smiling, I walked over to where Scorpius was sitting reading a book about potions. "Good morning Al" he looked up from his book for a moment. "You nerd" I teased. "Books keep me sane, Albus" he said seriously. I supposed this must be one from his fathers personal collection. Draco had helped me over the years with my mental health problems, as he was a healer.
Disappointingly, nothing was mentioned of the evening and I assumed that Scorpius had just been messing around or something.
We walked down to breakfast and found a seat together at the Hufflepuff table. Just as I reached my hand out for the salt shaker Scorpius did the same, as if on purpose, and our hands touched for a few moments. Suddenly he looked awkwardly away and muttered an apology. "It's totally fine Scorpius!" I cried, "we've got dancing classes tonight, remember!" He looked considerably happier at the thought of dancing and smiled up at me, emerald eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Who do you think will be our partners?" He inquired.
"Hopefully you'll be paired with that Beaux Batons girl you like" I replied, trying to keep him in good spirits.
He must have recognised my bitterness on the subject, as he laughed and cried out "no, no! I have certainly lost interest in her." I laughed. "She's friends with your brother!" He motioned to the Gryffindor table. "I could never dance with a girl who picks friends like that..." He muttered and apologised.
"Scorpius, It's totally OK. He and Lily are both way better than me anyway. They were right, you know..." I trailed off. Scorpius looked deeply into my eyes for a moment. "Don't ever say you're worthless again, Albus Severus Potter. Don't say no-one loves you. Don't say nobody cares about you. Say what you like about Me, or your family, but never, never, do you hear me? Never put yourself down. You're amazing, Al. One day, you will find someone that will make you really happy-" I interrupted Him. "But you make me really happy, Scorpius!" I exclaimed. "I'm sorry, Al." He said quietly. "I'm not good enough for you! You deserve better friends" I looked shocked at his grave expression. "Scorpius, you can't be serious." He nodded. "Dude, you can't get rid of me that easily! Besides, you're the only thing right now that makes my life bearable." Scorpius smiled sadly.
"You say I make you happy, but if you're so happy with me in your life, why are you still suicidal, why are you still depressed, why can't you sleep at night?" He looked concerned. His words had taken me completely off guard.
"I don't know, Scorpius, I should be happy- i've got you as a best friend, I have a family, I'm not living in poverty..." Tears began rolling down my cheeks as Scorpius held me to him, these moments where we were together made everything okay, and I couldn't help but feel yet again like he wanted something more.
"Albus, we've got to stick together now. I'm really really sorry..." He started. "I'm so sorry, its okay, its all going to be okay" he murmured as I pressed my face deeper into his chest, his skinny pale arms wrapped around me in a comforting embrace.