Scorpius. Albus. A Letter. An Aftermath

The Journey Home

Albus
15th December – 9:40am

Albus woke in the Hospital Wing. He looked around, trying to remember what happened when he arrived at the Hospital Wing. He reached for his glass of water and grimaced at the ache in his hand. He looked down at it and gasped. His finger was suddenly there, a faint line scarred the base, but it was there – and it worked!
"Your dad still had the finger, it wasn't too hard to reattach," a voice floated from the door – Scorpius, "The scar will stay but it's not too visible," he smiled. Albus beamed, forgetting everything. Scorpius walked over to Albus and placed the pack of sweets he'd bought for him on the table. Albus just watched him.
"Scorpius," he breathed, "What happened?"
"They arrived. You managed to get out, but they hit me with something. I managed to get back, the rest you know," he said quietly.
"I'm sorry," Albus sighed, "I was stupid for stopping you from helping me to escape. You put yourself in so much danger and I just tried to get rid of you. I was stupid and selfish."
"Albus," Scorpius smiled, "You were scared. You didn't want anyone else to get hurt. I know why you were like that. I shouldn't have used that curse. There were other ways."
 "But–"
"Listen, Albus," Scorpius interrupted, "I was an idiot. I shouldn't have shown you that letter. I should have known you wouldn't have forgiven her as easily as I did. It was stupid of me for trusting her so quickly. And I know I messed everything up. And I know I don't deserve a second chance. But I read the letters you sent to Teddy. Me too, Albus, me too. I love you. If you still feel the same way," he smiled, "What I did to you, that curse, that was wrong. I shouldn't have used that curse. I deserve what's going to happen. But I needed to tell you before I left. I–"
"Scorpius," Albus interrupted his nervous rambling, his smile knowing and kind, "Of course I still want it. And don't apologise for that letter, it wasn't your fault. And without that fight, we wouldn't be here – we wouldn't have acknowledged this," he pulled himself out of the bed and walked to where Scorpius stood. He placed his hand on Scorpius' shoulder and kissed him. Scorpius held Albus and kissed him back. Albus embraced Scorpius, trying to apologise for everything he had done over the past week. They only broke apart when they heard a small cough. Albus looked over to see Draco standing at the foot of the bed. Scorpius shrunk back, though not behind him, Albus noticed. Draco smiled, but not the mocking, chilling way that his uncles smiled. It was kind and understanding. Scorpius still looked frightened as Draco stepped closer to them.
"I'm so proud of you Scorpius," he whispered. The two of them hugged, hard, "You'll get out of Azkaban," Draco said, "You'll have a trial. Also, the dementors are gone now. And you're my son," he grinned. There was a thump on the door, "Ah. Yes. I may have locked the door to the Hospital Wing. Properly. More time for us," he laughed, then looked at Scorpius, "If you give me your wand, they won't be able to snap it," Scorpius nodded and took it from his pocket. Draco put it inside his robe pocket, "And now we watch. You haven't seen Madam Pomfrey angry, have you?" Albus and Scorpius shook their heads. Draco chuckled, "Well I don't like making her angry, but it's worth it if you get the chance to watch it." There was another bang. The door crashed inwards after another thump and eight people dressed in Ministry uniforms marched in and two of them grabbed Scorpius. The others surrounded him and they began to drag him out of the room. He didn't fight them. Madam Pomfrey emerged from her office looking tired. She spotted the commotion and swooped in. She was furious – Albus wouldn't have been surprised to see her breathe fire.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" she screeched, "HE IS STILL RECOVERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF DARK MAGIC! WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO REMOVE THIS BOY?" To their credit, the guards did not falter. One stepped forward.
"We are arresting this boy. The Minister of Magic has given us permission," she spoke calmly.
"It's fine, Madam Pomfrey," Scorpius smiled, tired. The two guards holding him began to drag him out again. Albus watched, helpless, knowing that he had to let him go. He tried to convince himself he'd see Scorpius freed. It partly worked. Probably. Hopefully. Maybe.