Hold Me While You Wait // Scorbus

Eight - Starting The Year off Wrong

The front door swung open after many knocks from Scorpius to reveal Ginny Potter in her dressing gown. She practically gasped at the sight of Albus drunkenly hanging off Scorpius.

"Oh my, Albus," Ginny took him from Scorpius' side and guided the two boys into the house. "You go to the kitchen and get him some water and in the upper right cupboard there's a potion - it should be labeled," she instructed and Scorpius nodded obediently as she took Albus upstairs to his room.

Scorpius met her upstairs quickly with the things she requested.

"Here," he offered her the glass and potion bottle.

"Thank you, darling," she gladly took them and turned back to Albus who was rustling around, and propped up in bed. He turned his face away from the potion she was trying to make him drink.

Scorpius sighed, "I'm really sorry Ginny. I should've kept a better eye on him. It's my fault he's like this, I'm a terrible friend," he rubbed his face harshly both out of tiredness and stress.

"Hey," Ginny set the potion on Al's night stand before turning around to Scorpius who was sat further down on the bed. "You're a wonderful friend, Scorpius," she put a comforting hand on his knee. "I appreciate you so much for bringing him home and taking care of him when you could. A terrible friend wouldn't be here right now making sure he got home safe."

Scorpius just frowned and bowed his head, knowing there was more to what made him a terrible friend right now, but not wanting to spill anything Albus didn't want his mum knowing.

"Would you like to stay the night? To make sure he's alright?" Ginny offered. "I know I'd sleep better if you had an eye on him over anyone else."

Scorpius' heart warmed at her kind words and he nodded, "I can do that."

She stood up and leaned over and placed a kiss on top of Al's forehead. He was drifting off to sleep but every time he jerked back to consciousness he found enough strength to glare at both of them.

She then moved over and placed a light kiss on Scorpius' head, "Thank you so much, you're such a blessing."

He felt his cheeks flush, "Of course. Anything for Albus," he glanced over at his best friend who had finally drifted off to sleep.

She smiled warmly. "He should be out for a while, but if he wakes up just make him drink some more water. He'll probably wake up grumpy and with a headache but the potion should help dull it and any other symptoms," she explained. "Do you need me to find you some pajamas or can you manage?"

"I can manage," he assured her. He knew Albus' room just as well as his own. They've had plenty of sleepovers in the past five years.

"I'll owl your parents tonight so they know you're alright," she added.

"Thank you, I didn't even think about them I was so worried about Al," he sighed gratefully.

She nodded understandingly, "Goodnight, Scorpius. Sleep well."

"Goodnight, Ginny." She shut the door and left him in darkness. He leaned over and flicked on Al's bedside lamp and wandered over to his dresser to dig in his bottom drawer for pajamas. He quickly changed and slid into bed next to Albus and flicked the light back off.

Scorpius laid there for several hours, unable to sleep because he was so consumed by his own thoughts. It was all a blur of Albus and his feelings for the boy and comparing it to his feelings for Adylinn.

It was nearing four AM when Albus stirred and groaned, waking up and shuffling about in the sheets. Scorpius, who was still awake, whispered, "Hey. Al."