Scorpius. Albus. A Letter. An Aftermath

Broken

Albus
5th December – 10:43am

Albus swore the moment he was out of the Common Room. That was the wrong thing to have said. There were other ways to tell Scorpius he didn't want to be friends, other ways to disagree with that letter. It wasn't logical – he knew they should have stuck together after what happened because they 'understood each other'. But every time Albus had flashbacks to the maze, he couldn't help thinking about what might happen if someone threatened his family again. What if someone took Scorpius again? The only way to protect him was for Albus to keep himself away from Scorpius, from everyone. Scorpius would be okay though – he had lots of friends now. Albus climbed the stone stairs towards the Great Hall. The familiar change of the light from dark, green to golden made him smile. He'd been spending a lot of time in the library now, he realized. The hall was almost empty – everyone was watching the Quidditch Match. He was glad, he needed some quiet to think over that letter. That god-damn letter. He sighed and tried to work out everything that was going through his head. Albus had no idea what this new feeling was, it was something between dislike and fear of loss. He tried to eat a slice of toast to distract himself but it didn't work. He sat with a mug of tea, mulling over his thoughts. When he finished the drink, he stood and left for the library. He couldn't help glancing at the door to the Slytherin Common Room to see if Scorpius was there.

Albus arrived at the library, deserted apart from Madam Pince, and grabbed a quill and some blank parchment that had been left on the side. He sat a desk and dipped his quill in ink. He thought for a moment, then began to write.

5th December
Dear Teddy

I know it's been a while since I wrote so here I am. I need some help, but I don't want to talk to mum or dad. I don't want to involve anyone else either because I don't want them to get hurt. I thought I'd write to you because you can protect yourself and you seem less stressed than the others are right now. I need to talk to someone, but I don't want to be intrusive. Is it okay if I write to you? And is it okay if I ask you not to tell anyone?

Albus

Albus folded up the note, addressed and sealed it. He walked to the Owlery, trying to convince himself that it wouldn't finish like his last visit there. He called a school barn owl down from the roof. He wouldn't use Fenstone, his owl, until he was sure it was safe, until he was sure that no one who was close to him would get hurt. The barn owl glided down gracefully and held out her leg for Albus to attach the letter. Once it was tied on firmly, the owl flew out of the window and soared over the horizon. Albus just hoped Teddy would get the letter quickly. He hated what he'd said to Scorpius. What had he been thinking? There was only one obvious answer in that mess. Part of Albus hated Scorpius for forgiving Delphi, and everything he'd said about her torturing him was true, that part of him was blind with rage, but a bigger, more loving part of him couldn't hate Scorpius. He understood now. He understood that being Harry Potter's son made him a target for anyone wishing to manipulate the Ministry or Harry himself. And he wouldn't let anyone else get hurt or die for him. No one else. Never.

Scorpius
5th December – 10:40am

Scorpius realized he had made a stupid mistake. Albus was getting angrier by the minute and it was all because of the god-damned letter.
"You don't think what is going to work?" Scorpius murmured, barely breathing, hoping against all hope that Albus didn't mean what he thought he did.
"This friendship. Not if you've forgiven her." Those seven words, that was what destroyed Scorpius.
"Albus, please," he was begging as he stepped towards Albus. He stepped back.
"You said you didn't tell me because I was 'struggling'?" he asked quietly. Scorpius nodded. And then Albus was shouting, "WHAT DID YOU THINK I WAS GOING TO DO? WHAT WOULD I HAVE DONE IF I WAS 'PUSHED OVER THE EDGE'?" he roared, tears fell from Scorpius' eyes, then Albus was muttering again, "I am not a drawback. Never." Scorpius tried to think of something to say.
"Albus, I didn't understand. Isn't that clear?" Scorpius let the tears fall now. There was no point fighting them.
"Yes, it's clear. You didn't understand. You still don't. So, not now. Not ever again. You've got plenty of friends now. I'll see you around, Malfoy," Albus walked out the Common Room, leaving Scorpius with tears cascading down his face. Scorpius dragged himself to the dormitory and lay on his bed crying.