Cursed Always

Chapter One

          It was a chilly morning for September 1st. Much chillier than it usually is this time of the year. Then again, everything seemed cold to Albus lately. His face held no signs of emotion and that was exactly what had Harry and Ginny sharing worried and perplexed glances as they neared Kings Cross station and near platform 9 and 3/4. It wasn't exactly news to Albus; he'd been looked at warily for the rest of the year and summer after what happened. He ignored it at this point and though he and Harry were finally at a good place, they still weren't close. In fact, Albus hadn't been feeling too close to anyone after what happened. He'd made it his duty to be alone and keep to himself all summer. A duty he succeeded in accomplishing.

          Truth be told, Albus wasn't sure why he was distancing himself from everyone--he simply was. Even his letters to Scorpius were rare and were even more rarely ever sent. Albus had spent most of his summer with his new feline friend, Tavi. Harry had thought getting him a pet would help coping with what happened since Albus  wouldn't speak to anyone about it, and Harry had been right. Octavia was the best thing that could have happened to Albus though James nearly murdered the cat when she scratched his broomstick (Lily had to stall him whilst Albus ran with Tavi). Tavi followed Albus as he paced nervously at the station.

          "Oh, what if Scorpius is mad at me?"  He thought aloud, continuing his anxious waltz. "I did ignore him for the majority of the summer..." Rose, who was next to him along with her family shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Honestly Al, I doubt breadhead is even capable of ignoring you, we all know how that went the last time..." she turned to see Albus glaring at her. "Haha, Rose, I get it 'don't meddle with time again, I told you he was bad news' blah, blah, blah, angst, and hatred--I'm worried about my best friend here!"  But Rose wasn't worried, in fact, her cousin's worry amused her and she began laughing at his sudden outburst. He knew she meant well however and had done remarkably well at slowly accepting the fact he and Scorpius were a package deal (though she still didn't particularly show any fondness towards the blond).

       "Why would you be worried about me?"

          Albus turned around to see none other than Scorpius standing behind him, giving a small dorky smile. Al practically lit up seeing him there and proceeded to smile widely. "No reason at all." He looked beside Scorpius and saw Mr. Malfoy behind him and of course gave a wave and polite hello, which he returned. Scorpius looked from Albus to Rose who was still next to her cousin and said, "Hi, Rose," in quite possibly the most dorkiest way possible. "Malfoy." She greeted with a nod before sharply turning and boarding the train.

          Scorpius looked back at Albus with a brght expression. "Did you see that?? She said Malfoy. That's the closest she's ever gotten to formally greeting me!!"  Albus rolled his eyes and felt his smile slightly dim as he heard his best friend gush over his cousin. "I can hear the church bells ringing already Scorp, let's g o ." Al spoke and pulled on Scorpius' sleeve to the train, Tavi following after the pair.

          Harry and Ginny joined Draco now and watched the two board, all three sharing the same worried expression. Draco seemed to be in deep thought, and sighed as he looked at the ground before turning to the Potters'. "How has he been doing?" Harry turned to Draco and thought over the question, not sure how to answer it. "He still screams. Some nights are better than others." Ginny spoke for her husband and held his hand tighter. Draco noticed the gesture and felt a pang as memories of his wife came. "The same here," he looked up at the Hogwarts express, nostalgia becoming more powerful with every second that passed. The Granger-Weasleys' now joined them as the clock ticked 11:00 and the train began chugging along. "They'll be fine," Hermione said and looked at both Draco and Harry. The two looked at her and then back at the train, not sure whether to believe the words said and hope for the best or worry once again. One look at eachother let them know however that only time would tell how things would end. Hermione looked at Ron momentarily and felt a wave of reassurance as he smiled at her, before turning back to the pair. "They'll all be fine."