Working Through the Rest

Lonely Puzzle

I stare out at the Shrieking Shack for a long time until, even with all my woollen clothing, I'm shivering violently. It's probably not as cold as my body insists it is, but the lack of Scorpius' presence seems to take something from the air. Not that I'm annoyed that he didn't come. I understand why he didn't want to come.
"Hello."

I jump as a woman with short blonde hair and quite heavy makeup comes up behind me. Something about her is vaguely familiar, though I'm fairly sure I've never seen her before.
"Hello," I say slowly, frowning. "Do I – do I know you?"
"No," she smiles. "I was just wondering if you were okay. You've been here for a while."
"You've been watching me?" I stare at her, reaching for my wand as I back away.
"Only for a few minutes," she says quickly. "I wasn't trying to be creepy. Sorry."
"Are you trying to fuck with me?" I snap. "Call me stupid, but I don't trust – I don't trust people. You were watching me, and that is creepy."
"I'm really sorry," she says again. "Genuinely."
"Right," I turn back to look at the Shrieking Shack, keeping my wand in hand. "So, do you live here?"
"Just here on a cheap holiday," she shrugs. "You here alone?"
"My friend didn't feel like coming," I mutter.
"I'm Antlia," she smiles.
"Albus," I mumble.

She nods and I am grateful for the silence. Normally my name elicits a rambling one-sided conversation about my dad, something which I do not think I could cope with now. The world is quiet now, but a slight bit more noise would probably push me over the edge. It's too cold to cry now. The tears would probably freeze on my face.

Why the hell am I so pathetic? I worked myself up to telling him under the idea that it wasn't that important if he wasn't okay with it. And now I hate myself to the point where I can't even talk about him without worrying I'm going to break down. What the fuck is wrong with me? What the actual fuck...
"Albus!"

I turn sharply as I hear Scorpius behind me, breaking into a smile as I see him hurrying, occasionally stumbling, towards us. He smiles at me, slowing down to stare a little at the woman – at Antlia.
"You came," I smile. "Thank you."
"Didn't want to leave you lonely," Scorpius smiles back. "Who's – who's she?"
"I'm Antlia," Antlia says quickly. "I was just chatting to Albus."
"Albus?" Scorpius looks pointedly at me.
"I know," I nod quickly. "Believe me, I know and I didn't incite this."
"You looked a bit lonely," Antlia shrugs.
"You were watching him?"
"I wasn't lonely," I look up.
"Not for long," Antlia shrugs. "Sorry."

Scorpius doesn't look happy with that and I walk over, putting an arm around him and squeezing his shoulder gently.
"It's fine," I murmur. "Bit creepy, I know. But it's fine."
"You were lonely?"
"Never," I smile. "You know me."

Scorpius nods, relaxing a little. Antlia smiles at both of us, making my stomach squirm slightly.
"I should be going," she says. "Maybe I'll see you around later?"
"Not likely," I mutter as she walks away. "Creep."
"She just started talking to you?"
"Literally. Never mind. You're here. Was there anything you wanted to do?"
"Have a nice day?"

I laugh, smiling at him. He never fails to bring a smile to my face. At this point, I am fairly sure he is the reason my sanity is still intact. After everything with dad, he's my anchor and I love him even more for it. Not that he'll ever know.