✓ | STRANGE, albus severus potter

08 ── my sister

CHAPTER EIGHT

Once the dynamics of the situation were understood, Scorpius found himself grappling with the next question: How would he handle the situation with Al? Should he confront him? Take a side?

As he considered his options, Scorpius felt a mix of frustration and confusion. He knew his feelings for Nova, but he also valued his friendship with Al.

His lack of knowledge about the whole situation left Scorpius feeling torn. While he could easily ask Albus for the truth, his hesitation to get involved in the midst of uncertainty gnawed at him. It was a decision he had to wrestle with internally.

Admitting his lack of knowledge about the nature of Albus' relationship with his sister, he acknowledged feeling caught between conflicted emotions. He had observed snippets of their interactions but had never truly delved into the depths of their bond. A sense of betrayal tugged at him, yet simultaneously, pain resonated within him—a painful mixture of emotions he grappled with.

There was a disconnect within him; he struggled to comprehend the depth of the situation. He realized that the one person who might have held the answers, their mother, was gone, and that left him feeling utterly lost.

Draco was a loving father but an utter failure when it came to offering advice. Though the twins frequently sought his counsel on academic matters, they found themselves turning to their mother, who served as the wellspring of wisdom in dealing with emotional distress. It was evident that their father had some insights into their struggles, though when it came to crossing emotional barriers, the twins encountered a wall they could not overcome.

Draco was a strict parent, influenced by his upbringing, and the twins understood this fact. They knew it was necessary for him to change at his own pace, not theirs. They accepted that their father needed time to adapt and grow.

Scorpius had opted not to confront Albus throughout the remainder of his holiday period. He chose to maintain the status quo, opting to steer clear of the potential for conflict with inadequate knowledge of the situation. Remaining uninvolved seemed like the prudent course of action, he reasoned.

As Scorpius returned home, he sought solace in his sister's company. He resolved to spend the balance of his days with her, intent on ensuring she recognized his presence and his willingness to listen. Despite his understanding of her tenacious nature, he harboured doubts regarding his ability to influence her to open up and communicate with him.

Upon his arrival home, Scorpius immediately launched himself onto his sister's bed, nearly knocking her off. The unexpected impact caused her to exclaim, "What the—?"

He clutched one of her pillows to his chest, suggesting, "Why don't we spend the day together? It's been a while."

The girl couldn't help but roll her eyes at her brother's unannounced arrival and his sudden declaration to spend the day together. She huffed lightly, still a little annoyed, and muttered, "Seriously?"

Shaking her head, the sister adjusted her hairstyle, pushing some strands of hair away from her face. Turning her attention back to Scorpius, she asked, "What's the occasion? Why the sudden desire to hang out with me?"

Her brother shot a quick eye-roll and grasped her wrist firmly, pulling her out of her bedroom without uttering a word. He had been told by their father that she rarely left since they'd been on his week-long vacation at the Potter's.

"Scorp—" she protested feebly, unsure of how to finish her sentence.

Scorpius remained resolute in his pursuit yet added a touch of puppy-dog eyes, a tactic he frequently employed, especially when it came to getting his way. It was a strategy he typically used to his advantage, yet he was mindful not to take advantage of it improperly.

"Come on," he implored, "Just let me spend time with my sister."

Despite Nova's pouting face, she eventually gave in. "I want to try eating at a Muggle restaurant..." Scorpius couldn't help but smile, easily accepting her wishes. He was willing to go to any lengths to support his sister. At this moment, he was content with merely being by her side, refraining from discussing the incident if it helped her.

The moment Scorpius saw her pouting expression, a victorious grin spread across his face. "Alright," he acquiesced, "let's go to a Muggle restaurant." In that very instant, he was more than willing to grant her wish.

Deep down, Scorpius recognized his sister's strong demeanour, a facade she often donned. He was cognizant of the fragility behind it, the vulnerability lurking beneath the surface. It was his earnest desire to be there for her whenever that shell shattered, whenever she needed support or a listening ear.

With a smile, Scorpius inquired, "So, which Muggle restaurant are you interested in trying?" He maintained a warm demeanour as he posed the question.

Nova, slightly taken aback by Scorpius' question, paused to consider it. After a moment of deliberation, she replied, "Well, there's that one I saw a picture of a couple of weeks ago..."