Ice and Emeralds (A Scorbus Story)

- Chapter Eighteen -

The week was spent in euphoria. Albus and Scorpius spent every moment together. They sat for hours in the Malfoy library, with towering bookshelves beneath a glorious glass ceiling. They ate their meals in the garden, surrounded by blossoms and butterflies. They were even visited by the wizened old peacock, who strutted boldly across their picnic spot. On the fourth day, Scorpius surprised Albus with a trip to the beach. He unveiled an old red convertible parked in a rickety shed on the lawn, and they drove along the coast, wind in their hair and the radio blasting. They visited a movie theatre in the nearby town and watched some silly romantic comedy film. Albus bought Scorpius popcorn with some of his Muggle money. They ate dinner at a small cafe and walked home in the moonlight hand in hand.

On the last night at Malfoy Manor, Albus lay alone on his bed, leafing through the book Scorpius had been reading while they were still at school. He was quite enjoying the third chapter when he heard a soft knock on the door. Curious as to who the late-night visitor may be, he responded with: "Yes?"

Much to his shock, Scorpius crept through the door, shutting it silently behind him. He breathed a sigh of relief. In his arms, he clutched a chessboard.

"I thought he may have hexed our doors," he whispered. "I guess not."

"I don't think you're supposed to be in here, Scorpius," Albus said softly, glancing anxiously at the door. "What if your father comes upstairs?"

"Oh, he's gone to bed on the fourth floor already," he replied. "He won't bother us."

Albus shook his head, chuckling. He put the book on the bedside table. "Let's play, then."

Scorpius grinned and lay the board out on the bed, arranging all the pieces in their correct positions. Trying hard to keep their laughter quiet, the two played game after game. Albus was pleased to actually win once or twice.

"You let me beat you," Albus said accusingly, collecting the broken pieces in his hand.

"Maybe a little," Scorpius admitted with a smile that disappeared as quickly as it came. "I'm going to miss this next year."

"What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled.

"Albus, I'm not going back to Hogwarts next year." The disappointment in his expression was heartbreaking. "I need to stay with my dad. He's been dealing with a lot lately. I think he may be depressed."

Albus was speechless for only a moment before he spoke. "So ... all those letters he wrote you ... when you thought he was ..."

"He told me he wanted to hurt himself, Albus," Scorpius said, blinking away the tears in his eyes. "I can't just leave him. He needs me."

The silence weighed on the two for a moment. Then Albus sighed and looked up at Scorpius. In his heart, there was something beyond compassion, beyond understanding, beyond love. The idea of spending a year at Hogwarts without Scorpius horrified him. He didn't think he could bear such a thing. But he needed to accept Scorpius's choice. He would have to support him, no matter how much it hurt.

"Of course," he murmured, his voice raspy. "Of course. You have to do what you have to do. He's your dad."

Scorpius's wiped his eyes on the sleeves of his pyjamas and opened his arms. Albus went into them, holding Scorpius tight.

"Thank you," Scorpius whispered. "I was scared that you might not understand."

"I get it, Scorp," Albus murmured into his boyfriend's shoulder. "Everything is going to be okay."

"I hope so," Scorpius whispered, letting go and rubbing his eyes. "It's going to suck when you leave tomorrow."

"We'll be able to see each other again. Don't worry."

"I hope that's true."

Albus looked glumly at the clock and realized it was well past midnight. However, he did not feel one bit tired. He felt Scorpius's eyes on him and met his gaze.

"What is it?" Albus asked. He leaned back against a pillow and sighed.

"Nothing," Scorpius whispered. There was a hunger in his eyes that made his heart pound.

"I'm guessing you don't want to go to sleep just yet," Albus murmured, feeling his cheeks flush.

"Well," Scorpius mused, running his cold fingers over the back of Albus's hand. "This is your last night here. I want to enjoy you."

"I see," Albus said. "So you didn't sneak into my room just to play chess, did you?"

Scorpius looked away, drawing back his hand. "Only if you want to."

"I want to."

Albus felt his own blood roaring in his ears as he took Scorpius's hand and pulled him closer. Arms wrapped around each other, they kissed with a fire and a passion unlike ever before. Albus felt Scorpius plant kisses on his neck and his own body craved more. His fingers found their way to the buttons of Scorpius's pyjamas, sliding the flannel fabric off his slender shoulders. Scorpius pulled Albus's t-shirt over his head and pushed him down onto the bed. Leaning over, Scorpius then blew out the candle on Albus's bedside table and kissed him with fire again.

The moon shone through the bedroom window as Albus lay on Scorpius's chest, their hands joined. As hard as he tried to align his breathing to that of Scorpius's, his companion's breath was just too fast.

"You'll have tonight, Albus," Scorpius whispered into the dark silence. "However long until we see each other again, we have tonight to remember each other by."

"I'm happy for that," Albus replied glumly, again confronted by the reality that he would be apart from his boyfriend for a long time.

"You know I love you, right?" Scorpius's voice was stronger this time. "Whatever happens in the future, that will never change."

"I know," Albus promised. "I love you, too."

He kissed Scorpius's chest gently. "You better not fall asleep in my bed. Your father might find out."

"Don't worry, I won't," Scorpius said sleepily. "I'll go back to bed very soon."