Put Your Curse In Reverse [Part 2]

Chapter 4 - Curse

"So what is football?"

Scorpius hopped up the final stair leading towards the fifth year boys' dormitory. He spun around to face his dorm mate, grinning as he advanced backwards into their dorm. Albus—from their dorm mate's side—began an animated explanation of it immediately.

"It's brilliant! It's sort of like Quidditch."

"Yeah, certain positions correspond to Quidditch ones," Scorpius added. He fell down onto the edge of his bed. "Like Keeper and goalkeeper."

Sigmund Stone nodded. He considered that carefully.

"But...without brooms?"

Scorpius and Albus exchanged a quick, amused look.

"Right," Scorpius nodded. "Without brooms. And you kick the ball—no hands allowed!"

"Wow," Sig commented. He began rummaging through his trunk. "So many rules."

"It's actually simpler than Quidditch, just doesn't seem like it at first," Albus said. He dropped to the edge of his bed and promptly sprawled out on his back. Scorpius felt warmth pool in his cheeks as Albus's shirt rode up, revealing a brief expanse of skin. "Scorpius. I knew that second helping of banoffee pie was a bad idea. Why did I listen to you?" he groaned. He rubbed over his temporarily protruding stomach. Scorpius wasn't sure why he found it so endearing, but he suddenly wanted nothing more than to be at Albus's side.

He rose to do just that, but a suspicious look from Saul Montague stopped him in his tracks. Scorpius hesitated for an awkward moment and then walked over to his trunk, as if that'd been his intention all along. He could feel Albus's eyes on him as he rummaged through it for something, anything...

"Here," he said, relieved. He pulled the football book from his trunk and turned, passing it to Sig. "This explains all about it!"

Sigmund took the book, but a moment later, he jumped, alarmed.

"What?" Scorpius asked. "Is there a bug?! Is it a spider? I think my Pygmy Puff will eat spiders...give it here..."

"No, it's just—these photos don't move," Sig whispered, amazed.

There was a pause. And then the other two boys in the dorm walked over, curious. Malcolm Bletchley found it fascinating; he kept tapping the photos as if he thought that would make them move. Omri Bigelow—a muggleborn—was crowded around simply to watch their dorm mates' expressions. Even Saul looked a bit intrigued. Scorpius took advantage of their distraction and edged his way over to Albus bit by bit, trying his hardest to look casual. He perched on the edge of Albus's bed. Albus sat up slowly and propped himself up on his elbows, grinning automatically at Scorpius. Scorpius's heart fluttered.

"Hey," Scorpius greeted.

"Hey," Albus shot back.

"How are you?" Scorpius asked. He was trying so hard to sound casual and normal that his words sounded oddly formal. He winced. Albus furrowed his brow.

"...Fine?"

"Yeah? Great. Er...nice weather, right?"

He turned and looked at the window. They were under the lake. All they could see was water. Scorpius's face burned.

"Are you okay?" Albus hissed towards him. He leaned in closer, bringing his mouth in dangerous proximity to Scorpius's. Scorpius allowed himself one moment to look at his lips, and then he leaned back, putting distance between them. "You're being weird, Scorpius."

"Yes. Fine. Just fine," Scorpius squeaked. "Not weird. Just—friends. Friendy-friends. Friends talk about...'how are you' and 'how's the weather' and..." he trailed off. He couldn't think of what else friends said to each other. He and Albus weren't just friends and he didn't think they ever hadbeen; even when they were 'friends' they were more than that, they were best friends. He and Albus had decided to try and keep things hush on the train ride, but Scorpius was realizing now that he had no idea how to do that, because he didn't think they'd ever been discreet about their feelings for each other. What could he talk to Albus about, if he couldn't talk about how important he was to him, or how beautiful he was, or how nice he smelled? "Classes. How about classes, right?"