Problem with Potters chapter 3
Chapter 3(/3)
A/N: The Final Chapter.
Thank you to everyone who's read this far.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
NEW!
Maybe it was a good thing that Rose knew about James and him after all. He needed someone to talk to; someone to try and sort out the muddle in his head with, and it was easier to not start from scratch. She already knew about James and probably suspected about Albus. Plus, Rose had the added benefit of being one of the more rational and reasonable people that Scorpius knew.
Scorpius felt a small measure of shame going to the Weasley girl for advice. Malfoys are meant to be self-reliant, putting weight in well bought favors rather than friendly charity. The world had changed however. So help from Rose Weasley it had to be.
Scorpius found her in one of the study hall rooms, mercifully alone. It took only a second to explain to her how Albus had seen him and James, how James had seen his deny their relationship to Albus, and the fight that followed. Rose handled the news fairly well, all things considered. True she slapped him, hard across the face, but it was a bloodless outburst, which was better than expected. Weasley's protected their own first. Scorpius counted himself thankful that she didn't hex him.
"Well that certainly explains why James has been acting like someone died the last few days," she spat and rubbed her hand idly.
"It's more complicated that just that though," Scorpius said. He hoped she wouldn't hit him again. "I...need some advice Rose, and you're the closest thing I have to a best friend who can help with this right now."
"An inspiring display of affection from the great Malfoy, I'm sure." Rose sat back down at the table and turned to her essay, away from Scorpius.
"Rose?" Scorpius voice was oddly strained. He had barely slept that night, and every dream he had was about the Potter boys. Albus shifting into James, James shifting into Albus. Each dream had left him even more twisted up and confused. He barely knew what he wanted, much less how to get it. He had to tell someone, or he was going to have a stroke.
"Oh Merlin's beard. Fine," Rose said and set her book to the side and her quill into her bushy hair. "What, exactly, is your issue, Scorpius?"
This was the hard part. Scorpius had spent the better part of his morning trying to find the right way to put his thoughts into words.
"James is right to be angry with me," Scorpius began, sinking into the seat next to Rose. "When things started with him, it was only because I couldn't have Albus," Rose gave a small growl at that, but Scorpius press on. "But now James is gone, and I can't stop thinking about him." Scorpius paused there, staring at his hands. "All I want is to have him back." He bit down the shame that bubbled up in his throat. "I feel like I was using James, but now I've lost him and...it really hurts, Rose." There was a long moment of silence.
"Is it hard? Loving someone who loves you?" She asked. "It's much easier to love someone who doesn't, I've always thought," Rose said softly. Scorpius wondered quietly who it was that Rose was in love with. He had really never paid her enough attention to even begin to guess. He was an asshole.
Scorpius looked up at her. "I feel like an idiot. I should have realized sooner that I...I don't know if James will ever forgive me for this."
"And Albus, then?" Rose asked.
Scorpius ran his hands through his hair. "He's my best mate," Scorpius said. "But I can't spend my life pining after my best mate."
"And is James just a fall back now?"
"No. No," Scorpius shook his head, his hands still in his hands. "I thought he was. He's not. I...I wouldn't miss him this badly if he was. I would dream about him like this if he was," Scorpius said miserably.
"What do you really want from him, Scorpius?" Rose asked. "The way James stares at you...I think he'd forgive just about anything if it meant having you, even if it hurts him more in the end."
Scorpius shook his head and stared at his hands. He didn't know how to answer that. Finally he looked up at Rose and said, "I want whatever it takes to prove to him that I...mean this. I want him back. How do I do that?"
"Scorpius, do you know how many boyfriends I've had?" Rose asked. "Zero." She sounded a little bitter as she said it. " I'm not exactly an expert on these things. If I had to give you a suggestion though, it would to be honest with him. Disregard your pride long enough to make him understand."
"But how?" Scorpius sad, finally looking up at Rose.
"Do something unexpected? Something drastic maybe? I don't know," Rose began to put her books back in her bag and stood up. "That's all I can offer. Good luck." With that Rose left him alone with his thoughts.
. . .
Scorpius sat on the cold tiles of the Prefects' bathroom, breathing in the warm misty fog that filled the room. The swimming-pool-sized bath tub was slowly filling up behind him as he stared into one of the massive floor to ceiling mirrors. He always thought best in the bath. He would wait patiently, thinking, until he could actually soak in the hot water.
In truth, Scorpius had no business being in the Prefects bathroom, especially without James there to give him even the illusion of legitimacy. Scorpius was long past the point of worrying about that kind of thing though. James had told him the password months ago, and it seemed like it hardly ever got changed. He had more important things to work out in his mind than the pros and cons of using a bathroom despite not having the proper permission too.
Something unexpected and something drastic. Well, one thing came to mind. It seemed rather stupid, but it would be a change. Maybe that was what he needed. To do something stupid, some physical reminder of his resolve.
"Um...Myrtle, are you there?"
Moaning Myrtle had always been fond of Scorpius' father, and so she was fond of him. Scorpius did not return that affection, however. Myrtle grated on his nerves and on his ears, but he was desperate so he was out of options.
"Oooo Scorpius," Mrytle sprung out of one of the bath taps, giggling in that awful way what sounded as though her voice got stuck in her nose. "Where is that hunk of a boy, James?"
Scorpius gave a small groan. He did not want to imagine Myrtle watching him and James' previous endeavors in the bathroom. He was afraid to ask whether or not she had. "James isn't here. Look, I need a small favor," he said.
"Oh?" The girl gave another nasally giggle. "And what is that?"
"I'm...going to cut my hair," Scorpius said. "I just need another pair of eyes to make sure I don't give myself any bald patches or anything," he explained. He was fairly good at shearing spells, but he'd never done anything like this before. He always had house elves to trim his hair when it needed doing. None of the Hogwarts elves would be any real help though. Skilled as they were with making cupcakes, he doubted they were much good with hair cuts. They were all bald after all, and hadn't been trained to cut human hair.
So he would have to do this on his own. It felt important, like a promise to himself. He would cut his hair, and make things right with James. If he cut his hair then no one could say that he was just throwing words around. It would show commitment. Sincerity. He knew he must sound crazy, but he had barely slept for days and he FELT crazy.
"Oh poo poo. I like your hair," Myrtle crooned.
"Just...stop me if I'm about to take a chunk out of my head, ok?" He sighed and got his wand ready to do something unexpected and drastic.
. . .
All things considered, Scorpius rather liked his haircut. He looked like a young version of his father, which was odd, and the breeze on the back of his neck would take some getting used to, but he felt well...brave. Resolved in his action. He couldn't just spend the rest of the year until James graduated hiding in his dorm room. No, he was going to make James understand.
That resolve didn't stop him from feeling horribly nervous though. Every kid in school had to stop and stare at him as he walked past. A thousand pairs of eyes seemed to follow him as he made his way down to the lakeside where he hoped he would find James.
He guessed correctly it turned out. James, as well as most of his family, was spending the Saturday lounging out in the sun. Roxie was the closest to him and appeared to be tinkering with the puzzle her father had sent her again. She still hadn't managed to solve it. Lily and Hugo had their backs against the tree, eating a plate of cupcakes that Hugo had no doubt gotten from the elves, while Rose went over homework.
Scorpius nearly backed out when he saw Albus and Melody sitting next to each other, chatting with James in a patch of sunlight right by the lake. The breeze on the back f his neck reminded Scorpius that he could do this, even if every step towards the Potter-Weasleys felt like walking through lead.
"Scorpius! Your hair!" Roxie was the first one to notice him, and let out a distressed cry at his new hair cut. The rest of the family quickly turned to see what the fuss was about.
"Bugger. The Thoroughbred has lost his mane..." Lily gasped, her snarkiness unabated by the unusual circumstances.
James made fleeting eye contact with Scorpius before looking away. It was Albus, always the good friend, who moved to his feet though to face him, his eyes running over Scorpius. "S...Scorpius...your hair..." Scorpius' heart gave a little tug. The last time he had seen the Potter boys Al had unintentionally crushed his heart and James had been on the verge of tears, heartbroken at what Scorpius had done to him.
"Hi James," Scorpius cleared his throat and looked at the others. "Um, Albus. Melody. Everyone." He walked up to James, past several of his family members. He was the one who he had come to see. Albus, who had already stood up, seemed to understand and settled back down on the ground next to Melody.
"Hi," James said softly and stood up, taking a few steps toward Scorpius. They were still in plain earshot of everyone. "Um...your hair?" He said like he was in shock over it. Scorpius hoped that James would be able to focus on what he had to say instead of just his stupid hair cut for at least five minutes.
"Yeah, I'll get to that. James, can we talk?" Scorpius said, scratching the back of his neck nervously. He was trying to ignore his audience as best he could. He felt hyper-aware of Rose and Albus staring at him.
"Oh..." James seemed a little shaken by that. "Yeah, sure. Do you want to go somewhere...more private? I know you don't like to talk about personal...stuff...around," James glanced over at Albus, "family." Scorpius gave a small smile at that. James was too sweet. Merlin, how had Scorpius gone so long without seeing that? Still, seeing James so anxious was painful. Scorpius was so used to James being confidant and cocky, that this nervous, heartbroken James was almost too much to deal with.
"No, it's ok," Scorpius said softly. "I...I don't care if they hear. I want people to know. I don't want to hide anymore." He took a deep breath, really focusing on James. He couldn't think about Albus and Rose and everyone watching, but he knew it was important that he was open about this now. He didn't want James to think he was ashamed of him anymore.
"James, I...wasn't fair to you," Scorpius began. "I..." This was harder than he had imagined. It was so hard to find the words he needed. "I wasn't...honest...with you about everything...about my...uh...feelings." He could hear the Potter-Weasleys shift around him, no doubt listening to every word.
"Yeah, but it's fine I understand-" James looked away, the pain so clear in his eyes. He took a small step back, clearly wishing he wasn't there. That by itself nearly broke Scorpius' heart.
"No, no, James," Scorpius said quickly, moving forward to grab the front of James' robes. "Please. I wasn't honest with myself either. I...I took you for granted. I'm an asshole," He said his hands shaking slightly. "But then not having you...I've been going mad James. You're all I think about. It feels like I'm drowning without you. I...does that make any sense? I...I need you here."
James stared down at him for a few seconds, the smallest hint of hope, still laced with pain, glimmering in his eyes. "So you...want things the way they were?" he asked softly. Sunlight reflected off the lake, throwing ribbons of light into James' hair.
"No. No...James. I don't want things to go back to the way they were," Scorpius replied softly. "I just want...you," Scorpius said softly. "Really, this time. I want...you."
"I don't underst-" James shook his head.
"Dammit James. I love you." Scorpius felt breathless as the words finally left him.
"You..." James' eyes began to light up for real; full of doubt, but also so much unbearable hope. "You love me?"
"I do," Scorpius said softly. Everything else had melted away. The lake, the people, everything. For a moment, it was just him and James.
"I...really?"
"I know I'm an asshole. I...I'm sorry it took all this for me to figure it out." Scorpius bowed his head. "But, I mean it...can you forgive me?"
James let out a laugh. He looked like happiness was going to burst through him at the seams. "How could I possibly say 'no' to you?" He laughed again. He cupped Scorpius' cheek. "I'm kind of a pushover, aren't I?"
"Well...yes. But I do mean it."
"I...still don't know why you cut your hair though," James said, slowly running his fingers through his hair.
"Oh well...I...I only grew it out because Albus likes long hair in the first place," Scorpius murmured, knowing how stupid that sounded. "So I wanted to...I don't know...do something...drastic and unexpected to um...start fresh. So you'd know I meant it."
"Well, I like it short. It suits you," James said sweetly.
"Ooo! Ooo! Now you two should kiss!" Roxie cheered from her spot by the tree. Scorpius began to laugh. He had forgotten about his audience completely. He looked over at them. Albus and Melody both flashed him a thumbs up, and for the first time Scorpius really didn't want to scratch out the girl's eyes. She made Albus happy. It was whatever.
"Ah, we seem to have a request," James said and leaned in. He kissed Scorpius, and Scorpius couldn't think about anything else. He had done it. He had gotten James back. The kiss was deep and slow, innocent enough for now, but it reminded Scorpius that as much as he had missed James, James must have missed him just as much.
The kiss dissolved into laughter as Roxie, Lily and Hugo began to applaud for them.
. . .
Room of Requirement. 9pm. Don't be late, Potter.
Scorpius was laying on the double wide, plush sofa the Room had made for him, staring up a the ceiling trying not to be too nervous. The room had gone all out for him it seemed. Scorpius worried it might be a little over the top. The sofa was wide enough for at two people to comfortably lay on. The wall were draped with curtains and the far was was adorned with a large, warm fireplace. The fire crackled with comforting white noise.
He was still getting used to officially being James' boyfriend, because they really were boyfriends now, weren't they? Feeling out how their relationship had changed was still new and exciting.
He liked it though. He liked how proud James looked when they were together in the hallways. Even Lily and Molly had begun to tone down their snarky remarks lately. Roxie had helped his clean up his hair cut, despite lamenting the fact that she couldn't braid his hair anymore. Things were going...unexpectedly well.
The door opened with a soft click.
"Ah, so you beat me here, Princess," James said, leaning over the sofa to look down at Scorpius.
Scorpius gave a small smile as he took a moment to look up at his boyfriend. He reached up and brushed James' bangs to the side, letting the soft dark hair slide through his fingers. "You're almost late."
"Almost," James said and stood up. He kicked his shoes off and laid on the sofa next to him, pulling Scorpius close. "Just look, I got me a Princess in an enchanted castle, waiting in a magical room just for me."
"Oh shut up, James," Scorpius laughed and shoved him lightly. James responded by kissing him. It was, Scorpius thought, really the best course of action. James' kisses were addictive. James slowly rolled on top of him, pinning Scorpius in the cushions, running his fingers through his hair softly. Each kiss was slow and deep, warm, wet, and left Scorpius struggling to breath.
They kissed for what felt like a long time. Scorpius was lost in the feeling of James' body against him, the way his muscles moved under his shirt, how his hair still smelled like shampoo. He had kissed James so many times, but it seemed like he had always been thinking of Albus before. Now, with no thoughts of Albus in sight, Scorpius was swept up by James and all his incredible James-ness.
He wanted more. More than he had ever had before.
Scorpius was still nervous about going all the way with James. He couldn't help it. The act would make him so vulnerable, make him submissive but...well, with James kissing him like that, and after what a crazy week he had just had, maybe...if it was James...it would be worth it. James made him feel safe. It was a ridiculous, embarrassing kind of thing to think, he knew, but...well...
"James," Scorpius breathed, panting hard already. They had fallen back into their routine of handjobs and blowjobs pretty quickly since they had gotten back together, but they hadn't gone further. Scorpius thought that tonight they might change that.
"Mmm, yes?" James said nuzzling their noses together as one hand traced down Scorpius' shirt, fingers skimming under the hem to tease at the skin.
"James, I...want you," Scorpius breathed. He slid his hand up James' neck, tangling in the hair at the base of his hair line.
"Oh yes, I want you too," James said with a chuckle.
"No, no James...I...want....you. Like..." Scorpius raised his eyebrows, hoping James would catch on. Luckily, for his pride, James did.
"You...oh. OH. You...really?" James said. It was no secret that James was always willing, and wanting to, go further with Scorpius. He also knew how uncomfortable it made Scorpius. He seemed surprised and reasonably so by the abrupt request.
"I...I want you try," Scorpius blushed. "You know, we've been together a while and...I trust you James. I want to...do everything with you."
"Yeah? That must be a blow to your pretty Princess pride," he teased. Scorpius threw him a dangerous look though, so James straightened up. "Yeah. Right though. Yes. Yes," James nodded, obviously trying not to sound overly thrilled. "Really?"
"James, come on," Scorpius was blushing even more. "Are you going to make me regret telling you that?"
"No, no. I...I really want you too, Scorpius," He said softly. "Um...if you want me to stop just say the word, ok? I will."
"Yeah, I know James. Please...just kiss me." James did as he was told, thank goodness, because talking about it was only making Scorpius more nervous. Kissing helped. This kiss was very much like the one before, but with a new urgency and the promise of something more. Slowly James' fingers slid over Scorpius' shirt buttons, undoing each one slowly and then sliding the rough pads of his fingers over the newly exposed skin.
It didn't take long for James to pull Scorpius' shirt completely off. His warm hands ran over each rib slowly while he kissed Scorpius in his slow, hungry way. Scorpius felt completely breathless.
Scorpius wasn't going to let James completely dominate him though. Oh no, if he was going to do this, he was going to show that he could hold his own too. Scorpius pressed both of his hands against James' chest and pushed him up until he was sitting and then adjusted slightly, forcing James to lay on his back.
Scorpius straddled James' hips. He could feel James' cock pressing up against him through the fabric of their trousers. James was looking up at him, panting slightly with his hair falling in his eyes. Scorpius gave a smug little smirk at that, proud of the effect he could have. He leaned down, biting softly at the tender spots on James' neck, tasting the salt on his skin while he worked on getting James' shirt off.
"Merlin, Scorpius. You are the hottest boy I've ever met," James panted, running his hands over Scorpius' bare back.
"Oh?" Scorpius whispered, his breath hot on James skin. "Even hotter than Timothy Nott?" There was a twinge of jealous in that last question. Scorpius barely knew the Nott boy, who had graduated the year before. But he was the boy, Scorpius knew, that almost certainly got James' virginity.
"Nott couldn't hold a candle to you, Princess," James said, running his hands down Scorpius' back until they were cradling his ass.
"Ok, stop calling me Princess," Scorpius said and nipped at James' neck. James gave a small moan.
James lifted Scorpius up slightly and rolled him onto his back so that James was on top again and resumed kissing him. His fingers quickly found the buttons on Scorpius' trousers. "A button fly? Are you kidding me? You know I hate these," James said, laughing slightly as he pulled the offending clothing off of Scorpius along with his underwear.
Despite the room being cold, Scorpius' body felt too hot. Like his skin was burning, hyper sensitive to every touch. This was not their normal rough and tumble in broom closets. This, already, felt like so much more. The rough pads of James' fingers on his skin burned and made him shiver. James' body heat washed over him, the scent of his body wash and sweat filling Scorpius' senses. James' hands wandered over his chest, his hips, his fingers brushing slowly over Scorpius' ever stiffening cock.
Slowly James pulled away. "Are you ready for more, Scorpius?" he asked, his voice husky with lust.
Scorpius gave a small nod, his body already trembling in anticipation. James sat up, pulled off the last of his own clothing, and leaned over to the small coffee table at the end of the sofa. He pulled out a small bottle of lube that the room had apparently made for them and, with a self satisfied smirk, poured a small amount onto his fingers. "I'm always impressed by how good the room is at guessing just what we want," James said as Scorpius found himself blushing even more intensely.
"Ok. Now remember, if you want me to stop," James said, sliding his hand down between Scorpius' thighs until his slick finger was pressed against his ass.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll say so," Scorpius said, curling his fingers into the fabric of the sofa and biting his lip.
James gave him a soft affectionate kiss and slowly pressed one of his fingers inside him. Scorpius gave a sharp gasp, arching his back as the sensation filled him. Slightly painful, too tight but, oh, the way that James was pressing deeper inside him made Scorpius not want it to stop. James went slowly, stretching out each ring of muscles inside of him, the heat and pressure swimming in Scorpius' mind.
Slowly James pressed a second finger in, and Scorpius gave a small moan. The pain was fading away, replace by a rather overwhelming desire for more. James pulled away slowly and placed another kiss on Scorpius' lips. "How are you doing?"
"J-James...please," Scorpius panted, missing the body heat and feeling of James' skin against his.
"You're ready?" James asked, a tint of nervousness in his voice. Scorpius gave a small breathless nod. "Ok, and if-"
"James, if you tell me that you'll stop if I ask one more time, I will murder you. Please," Scorpius said, looking up at him.
James gave a small laugh. "Ok, ok, Princess."
"And seriously, stop calling me that. I want you to fuck me, James. Not tease me," Scorpius said, too turned on to even feel shame anymore. James' face was turning a bright red as he laughed more.
"Ok, I'm sorry," James said softly and kissed Scorpius again. "I love you, ya know," he whispered. "I don't know what I did to deserve you," he whispered in between kisses. Scorpius couldn't think of any reply to that, because it was exactly what he had been thinking. His James. There was no way Scorpius deserved him, and yet somehow he had him. He supposed Malfoys always did get what they wanted in the end.
"You're perfect," Scorpius whispered in reply.
James placed one more kiss on his lips and grabbed Scorpius' hips. He pressed the head of his cock against Scorpius' entrance. Slowly he slid inside of Scorpius, moaning out at the tightness and the pleasure that overwhelmed him. Scorpius gasped out, lights flickering behind his eyes as James' cock burrowed into him. James leaned down and placed a breathless kiss on Scorpius' forehead before he slid his cock back out slightly only to thrust back in.
"Oh fuck..." James moaned out. His dig his fingers into Scorpius' thighs, holding the boy's body tightly as his thrusts began to pick up in speed. Each thrust sent curling, crackling waves of pleasure through Scorpius' body.
"J-James," Scorpius panted. His head was spinning with the heat, the tint of sweat and friction and oh god, James. His James. Brown, wild eyes and that tan body, and his easy smile. His James, inside him, his hands on his hips and Scorpius could barely breath. James' thrusts were slowly picking up in speed.
Scorpius wrapped his arms around James' shoulders, holding onto him tightly, soaking in the heat from the older boy as all the friction began to build up inside him. The head of James' cock sliding in Scorpius' body was maddening. Scorpius felt as though he had lost all control, but James was there, making him feel safe, holding him so tightly as his body screamed for more.
"J-James, I...I'm getting close. I don't know how much longer I..." Scorpius managed to pant.
"It's ok. I...I'm close too, Scorpius," Jams said, his voice shaky with panting as he thrust into him.
One more breathless minute of thrusting and the fire finally bubbled up in Scorpius' core. The pleasure reached the tipping joint, right on the edge, driving his mind blank as he came hard, spilling his seed onto his own stomach. His body tightened and twitched around James' cock. At that, James gave a final, desperate moan and Scorpius felt James' seed fill him up. James gripped him even tighter as he came, burrowed all the way into him.
James went limp on top of Scorpius, breathing hard. Scorpius was struggling to catch his breath as well, his vision still blurry and his body still humming from his orgasm. He ran his hands slowly through James' sweaty hair.
With a groan, James finally pulled himself out of Scorpius and laid next to him. He pulled Scorpius over to lay on his chest.
"I love you," James said softly, nuzzling into Scorpius' hair. "That was awesome. Thank you."
"Don't thank me for getting you off Potter," Scorpius said in a teasing voice. "It's weird."
"You're such a brat," James laughed. "I love you. You're perfect."
"And you're a hopeless cheesy romantic. But...I love you too," Scorpius said softly, closing his eyes. He laid a hand over James' bare chest, where his heart was. He felt utterly content in that moment. Everything was perfect.
"James?" Scorpius said softly. "If I fall asleep, you won't leave without waking me up, right?" he asked, a small yawn slipping through his lips.
"Of course. Sleep well, Scorpius," James said softly and held him close while Scorpius gently drifted off to sleep.
. . .
James had started eating lunch with the Slytherins. It wasn't strictly allowed, but the professors always enjoyed seeing more inter-house friendships. Their housemates weren't exactly fond of this, but none of them tried to stop them. James seemed entirely too pleased about this arrangement, and their new found relationship as well. He liked to flaunt it, the egotistical git.
Still, Scorpius wasn't complaining. He had managed to keep this whole thing a secret from his father for now, and no one appeared scandalized enough by it to write to Draco Malfoy. Scorpius and James had promised to tell their fathers about their relationship over the summer, but that was a hurdle they would cross in time.
Albus seemed to be the biggest supporter of their relationship, though he had apparently told James that if he broke his heart there would be hell to pay. Scorpius wasn't sure whether to be embarrassed or flattered by that.
Everything was falling into place though.
"Slytherin VS Gryffindor game tomorrow," Lysander Lovegood-Scamander said, walking up to the Slytherin table at lunch. "I have to wonder who Scorpius is going to root for."
"We sort of took a bet on it," Lorcan added, standing behind his brother.
Albus and James both turned to Scorpius, smirking. Scorpius mentally cursed those awful Potter boys for making his life so bloody difficult. What was he supposed to say? He was in Slytherin, and Al was his best friend. And James? Well, that spoke for itself.
"You can't expect me to pick," Scorpius said, not liking to be put on the spot. "I'm going to be too distracted by how bloody attractive these two are in their Quidditch gear to pay attention to the match anyway," he sighed. "I missed the last match."
"Mmm, that so?" James laughed. "Maybe you can get a preview of the gear tonight then?"
"Oi, James," Albus said, trying not to laugh. "Not while I'm eating."
"I think this is a victory for James. Pay up Lorcan," Lysander laughed while his brother begrudgingly handed over a few coins.
James gave a triumphant smirk and kissed Scorpius right in front of them all. Scorpius didn't mind.
. . .
James was being terribly quiet on the train ride back to the station. He had his head in Scorpius' lap, and laid very still staring out the window. Scorpius understood why James was so lost in thought. This was a big moment for him. James' 7th year was over, he had won the Quidditch cup, had graduated, in the Fall he was off to training with Puddlemere United. It appeared that James' brain had overloaded and shut down.
Albus and Melody sat on the bench across from them. Part of Scorpius still wished that Melody wasn't around all the time. She was nice enough, and she made Albus happy, but she also had a habit of stealing his attention and Scorpius still really liked spending time with his best friend. Still, his urges to rip out her eyes were at least over.
"James, are you ok?" Scorpius finally asked, looking down at his boyfriend. The last few months of school had been a delirious happy blur. N.E.W.T.S and O.W.L.S and Quidditch and long, hot nights in the Prefects bathroom where the oppressive rising heat of summer met the cool slick tiles of the bathroom wall. Their relationship, and it really was a relationship now, was better than Scorpius could have hoped.
"I'm never going to ride this train as a student again," James said softly and gave a suffering sigh. James was not taking the end of this golden period well. Scorpius could understand really. He wasn't happy about the idea of suffering through two more years of school without James either. Still, he would have Albus and Rose to keep him company. James was being a baby about this.
Both Scorpius and Albus rolled their eyes and gave each other a small smirk.
"Come on, Jamie," Albus said. "You're off to be a big time Quidditch star. Perk up, mate," he said to his older brother.
"Yeah but..." James looked up at Scorpius and gave a small pouty face.
"But what, James?" Scorpius asked.
"You're not going to replace me with some new boy just because I'm gone, right?" James asked Scoprius and sat up. He looked honestly concerned.
"...what?" Scorpius asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"You know, I won't be around. So...maybe you'll find some hot dude who is always around. Leonard from Ravenclaw maybe? He's cute! But I'll come by all the time! Every Quidditch game for Al and all your Hogsmead trips and everything! Ad I'll write you sexy letters about all the naughty things I want to do to you all the time, so..." James said, looking completely earnest.
"James you dolt," Scorpius blushed deeply, trying not to look over at Albus' amused expression. "You're the one I should be worried about! You'll have fangirls now! Fanboys!" Scorpius said, teasing.
"What fanboy could hold a candle to you, Princess?" James said looking placated and ruffled Scorpius' hair. It was James' new favorite thing to do since the infamous hair cut. "But you! You're adorable. All the boys will want you as soon as I'm gone!"
"Oh shut it, James," Scorpius blushed and tried to fix his hair.
"You two are cute," Melody gave a small giggle, laying her head on Albus' shoulder.
"Seriously, should we leave? Do you need a room?" Albus laughed. Scorpius shot them both a rather scathing look causing Albus to break out into laughter. His ferret, Rarity, jumped off Albus' lap and into Scorpius'.
Scorpius pet the little ferret happily while James fell into conversation with Albus about their summer plans. The British countryside sped outside the windows on their last train ride home together. Scorpius tried to shake off the melancholy that threatened him.
Soon enough they were at the station, gathering up their things. Albus and Melody rushed ahead to find their parents and try to convince the easily flustered Professor Longbottom that Melody should be allowed to vacation with the Potters that summer, to France, to visit Bill and Fluer Weasley.
"Maybe we can get your dad to let you come along as well," James suggested as the two of them exited the train together. Scorpius thought that it wasn't terribly likely that his father would instantly agree. Maybe if he brought it to his mother first though he would stand a better chance.
"Oh look," James said. "There's your dad. I guess...you better go say hello," James said, his voice trailing off as he spotted Draco Malfoy making his way towards them. Scorpius could see James' hesitation. Saying goodbye today wasn't going to be easy for him.
"Hey, James?" Scorpius asked softly. "Did you mean what you said? About coming to see me when you could?"
"Of course I did. It'll be tough for the nest two years until you graduate, but we'll make it work. Promise."
"Promise."
It didn't matter that Scorpius knew his father was walking towards them right in view. It didn't matter that the Potters were no doubt near by looking for their son. It didn't matter that everyone in the world could see them. Scorpius grabbed James by the collar and kissed him deeply.
James Potter was his, and he wanted the world to know it.
. . .
. . .
Five Years Later
Scorpius was sitting on the sofa, pretending to read the finance section of the Prophet when James burst into their flat. Scorpius was actually reading the sports section, tucked inside the finance section, just in case. Truthfully, he liked reading about James in the paper, but he would be damned if James knew that. His boyfriend's ego was ridiculous enough already.
"I'm home!" James called as he bustled into the kitchen. "I got the mail, and Chinese!"
"Ooo, goody," Scorpius said, still reading the paper. He honestly didn't like Chinese food, but James did. He could suffer through a cardboard box of low mein every now and then if it meant keeping his boyfriend happy. James was his boyfriend wasn't he? It felt odd after so long, but nothing else seemed to fit. Lover sounded ridiculous, and life partner was only worse.
"They want to name me MVP again this year," James said, still in the kitchen, no doubt shifting through the mail.
"Wow. Good job," Scorpius said, trying to sound surprised while making an extra effort to hide today's sports section. "Get any more fan mail today?"
"Mhm," James walked in the room with a pile of mail. Damn. He'd have to finish the article later. He turned to an actual finance article quickly as James flopped down in an arm chair.
"So, Chinese again?" Scorpius said. He really wished James would let him get a house elf for the flat. There was no reason not to. Between James' super star salary and Scorpius' trust funds they had plenty of money, and it would be nice to have an elf around to cook for them. No more low mein then. But James was stubborn that way, said his Aunt Hermione would throw a fit if he bought an elf.
"Mhm," James said, flipping through a stack of envelopes. "Ooo, this one is from Al," he said.
Scorpius perked up at that. Al was teaching at Hogwarts these days, a position that kept him rather busy. With James having Quidditch all the time, and Scorpius' getting advanced healer's training at St. Mungo's they hadn't hung out in a while. "Oh? What's new with Professor Potter?"
"Oh my Merlin," James said, standing back up. The stack of unread mail fell onto the floor.
"James?"
"Holy mother of wizarding God."
"James, what is it?" Scorpius said, beginning to wonder if he should be concerned.
"Al's getting married." James said, staring at the paper, which Scorpius now assumed was a wedding invitation.
"Al's getting married? To Melody?"
"Well, not to the Loch Ness Monster, Scorp! Yes, to Melody! Holy crap, we finally got the Longbottoms in the family!" James cheered. "We get to go to a wedding!"
"James," Scorpius laughed. "Calm down. Yes, we get to go to a wedding."
"I gotta go tell Teddy! I wonder if he knows yet!" James said and ran off towards their fireplace to make a call.
Scorpius gave a small laugh. So, Al and Melody were finally getting married. Well, good for them. He stared after his boyfriend...lover...life partner...ack. Maybe, he told himself, he'd make an effort to catch that bouquet. His father wouldn't like it, and his grandfather would probably have a heart attack when he heard, but Scorpius could probably live with the title of husband.
. . .
End
. . .
A/N: So this is it. I'd like to thank everyone who's stuck with me through the process of writing this; my wonderful boyfriend for ALL his help, for everyone who left reviews, and everyone who cheered me on.