"So apparently, my mum didn't go to boarding school in London, she actually went to HOGWARTS?! Literally so much makes sense now, I swear if this is a prank by my brother..."
"But Cassie, I got a similar owl. My British nan Skyped us, saying she's p...
Amna remember update4update :)) Albus was broken. He still felt guilty for putting Scorpius in danger - after Delphini lost control of him, he tortured his friend. His screams... Albus could never - would never forgive himself for that. Scorpius was his light in the darkness. Always had been. Right now, Scorpius was teasing him about liking 'older women'. But how - when would he explain? That his liking for Delphi was enchanted? Scorpius knew that. That he was gay as hell? He didn't know that. And what he really didn't know, was Albus' heart was set on him. Albus was gay as rainbows for his best friend, but his best friend liked his cousin. Anyway, Scorpius was straight. Right?
Hopeless. It was hopeless.
~ Fifth Year ~
Smiling at the sight of my friend, I hug her. Me and Cassie arranged to meet in a muggle supermarket before going to Diagon Alley and meeting the rest of our friends - partially because we want a costa but mostly because, honestly, we don't want to be the first ones to see Albus. He got out of St. Mungo's after school broke up for the summer, and we haven't seen him since he was under Delphi's control, and however much we like him no one wants to deal with that drama first.
"I'm so excited to be going back to Hogwarts," I say over our chocolate creamy coolers (ayyy). "I'm not," Cassie groans dramatically. "OWLs this year! I barely studied all summer because I'm lazy and there's going to be SO MUCH TO DO!" "At least it's magic tests, rather than like, maths." She shrugs. "Besides," I add, "You're going to do fine. You'll probably study and stress then pass with flying colours." "Maybe, thanks. You done?" We make our way to Diagon Alley, through the Leaky Cauldron, and meet outside of Gringotts. (It took me way too long to type that one word why) "Hey Amna!" I spin around and hug my friend. "Hey Karla! Do you know when Em's getting here?" "About half an hour." I nod and we set off to get our set books (I have to stop Char from buying a book of jinxes - "Char, aren't you and James friends now?" "I guess, but that doesn't mean I have to stop bullying him!"). Every year our whole friendship group meets up here in Diagon Alley, but this year we're all subconsciously anticipating seeing Scorpius, Albus, Lily and James who are also coming today. (Char is particularly looking forward to seeing the last one.) (She's had a raging crush on him since late second year but only realised mid-way through third year.) (Everyone else who knew her knew.) (Like literally, she never shut up about him.) (She tried to slip him a love potion in fourth year 'as a joke', I mean come on!) (That didn't end out too well for her, though.)
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(Quality screenshot ik ik)
Cassie is the first to notice Scorpius and the Potters. Scorpius is in an animated discussion with Albus, and Cassie walks up to them. Scorpius greets her, and nudges Albus. "Hi.." Albus doesn't make eye contact with us, instead focusing his gaze onto Scorpius. "Hi." There is silence, and Char excuses herself to go talk to Lily - or in other words, James. I follow her, leaving the others to quietly talk to Scorpius and Albus. Every man for him- or herself.
"Hi Lily! Hey Potter." Char, fairly unconvincingly, feigns disinterest. Lily immediately starts up a conversation with her, and Char doesn't so much as look at him. Which is a shame for her, because she'd be interested to know that James looks rather dejected at their lack of interaction. "So," I say awkwardly, causing him to jump slightly and look at me blankly. "Did you um... have a nice holiday?" I persevere. "Yeah... thanks... you?" "Alright. Thanks." I tap char discreetly and give her a look of help. She understands and thankfully leads us both away from them.
"Well that was awkward. Why aren't you talking to your boyfriend?" She rolls her eyes at the boyfriend comment, but doesn't refute it - she has tried in the past. It doesn't work. "I was." "You weren't. And he didn't look too happy about that." "He didn't?" Aha. Got her attention now. "No. Looked rather upset, in fact. You didn't even say hi, are you okay?" I put my hand on her forehead and pretend to check her temperature. She rolls her eyes again. "I just don't want to crowd him, that's all. Never seen him outside of school before." She seems reluctant to continue, so I return to my friends and we go get our stuff.
We bump into James, Lily, Albus and their dad again in flourish and blotts, and this time James steps in front of Char so she can't ignore him. "Hey." I pretend to be engrossed in the bookshelf I am standing by as I spy on them. (It's not creepy, okay! I'm just being a good friend!) "Hey." "How was summer?" Is this how James usually acts around her?? He's much less irritating like this. He should try it more often. "It was alright. You?" "Lots of studying." "Oh." Char fiddles with a book and there is an uncomfortable silence. "So.. I guess you have your OWLs this year. I'd better return the favour. Of helping out, I mean." "You don't have to, don't worry." "I want to." He hesitates for a moment, then smiles at her and turns away slightly. "Your hair. By the way. It's nice." I can see why Char likes him so much - that smile could charm a mountain troll. Char, who seems to be having some kind of breakdown, walks straight into me and pays for her books, without a word.
Scorpius was lost. Confused. After the high of asking Rose out subsided, his mind kept drifting back to him. Albus. The moment he'd met him he was drawn to him. But the nerves, the thoughts - he told himself again and again it was platonic - what would his father say? And he liked Rose. He did. Just - if he was honest to himself, not as much. He hadn't wanted to admit it to himself. The idea of asking out Albus - it was impossible. Scorpius was in love with his best friend, but he'd never admit it, even to himself. Anyway, Albus was straight. Right?
