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Albus’s body wracked with dry sobs as he clutched the frail body beneath him. This was his fault. If he had just been a little bit faster, Scorpius would be ok. They would be ok. All he could do was watch and scream helplessly as his best friend was tortured.
Maybe Delphi was right? Albus sure as hell didn’t want anything to do with his father, but right now, if he could be anything like him, he’d take it over anything else. The great Harry Potter was reckless and brash, maybe a little bit dumb when throwing himself into dangerous situations- but Albus needed that.
If he had even an inkling of his father’s bravery maybe Scorpius would be alright.
Albus brushed his hands over Scoprius’s frail face, watching how his eyelids fluttered slightly, his nails digging deeper each time a tremor wracked the blonde boy’s body. The beautiful dust of pink usually evident on his lips and cheeks was long gone.
He looked like a ghost. He looked like a fucking ghost and Albus was sure he’d be one pretty soon.
It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. My fault, my fault, myfalutmineminemine-
Albus couldn’t think straight. He sobbed into Scorpius’s neck, whispering, “I’m so sorry’s” over and over into his dangerously pale skin. He couldn’t even see his face with the tears constantly pooling in his eyes. He hated how weak he was.
Another sob ripped from his throat as he thought about the moment they first met, Scorpius looked just as pale when he realized who Albus’s father was.
But now, his sheet-white skin was a taunting reminder that they were never going to be the same. The same innocence and naivety of being sheltered by the horrible- God-damned horrible- world could never be replaced.
“Albus, I-“ Albus jerked his head up as Scorpius rasped out his name. His voice was broken from screaming and it obviously pained him to speak.
He flinched violently when Albus brought his hand to brush against his cheek and his heart fucking broke.
Albus couldn’t help but continue to touch him, and he hated himself for that. For hurting him. But, this might be the last time he could touch him.
Scorpius squinted open his eyes to meet Albus’s once more, the amount of pain and sorrow swimming in them glistened.
His eyes fluttered closed once more, letting the tears flow freely down his cheeks.
The moment was suddenly torn apart from them by a horrible screech of, “No!” Her voice was carried over the dark hedges by the swoosh of wind.
A wave of dark magic thrust into his side and he grunted in pain as Scorpius was ripped from his hands.
“Scorpius!” He screamed and tried to claw his way back.
“You think you’re better than me, Potter?” Delphi continued ruthlessly, her voice increasing octaves by each word. “You’re nothing, Nothing! Look what you've done!”
She gleefully laughed, evident madness creeping into her tone.
Albus clawed his way back to Scorpius as she began to rant; rant about his father, how he could never measure up to anything he ever was. Rant about how they would never escape her; how she would eventually find them and they would do what she told them to do.
But deep down, he knew it was true. A feeling of shame burned scornfully in his chest and he blinked back more tears.
This is my fault. It's all my fault.
And that was why they needed to get out of here.
Albus finally made contact with Scorpius’s unconscious body and in that fleeting touch, a warm breeze enveloped their bodies and he watched as the air turned gold, shimmering dust swirled around them in a cocoon.
Delphi’s voice began to fade away, into the background, but her cries still carried into Albus’s ears, “...never get away from me, Potter! I’ll find you. I’ll find you! Do you hear me, I sai…”
He felt his heart thud in his chest and he wrapped the boy’s body in his arms, desperately wishing this was a way out.
The dust overtook his vision until all he could see was the blinding golden hue. With a final flash of light and an ear splitting screech, everything went black.
The golden dust dissipated in a haze, and Albus found himself ripped from Scorpius’s body by a man. Scorpius was going to be taken from him again. No. Nonononono.
He screamed and kicked, trying to claw his way back to his body, but the mysterious attacker never loosened his harsh grip, and hissed into his ear, “Calm this idiotic nonsense at once Mr. Potter!”
“Stop! I’m not- no- I can’t,” Albus could find himself to form coherent sentences. All he could think about was Scorpius.
“I’m not- I can’t,” Albus whimpered as tears poured down his face in droves. Please help him. Please.
He inhaled sharply as the tip of the man's wand pressed against the flush of his throat. They quickley jostled him up onto his feet and winced at the fingernails digging into his skin.
The voice hissed into his ear, “Then you better have a damn good explanation for why you look like Potter. Spill.”
Albus gulped and tensed. What was happening?
He quickly scanned the warm walls of the room, adorned with portrait frames and hanging bookshelves filled to the brim with old knick-knacks and relics.
The Headmaster’s office.
Albus almost went limp in relief. He blinked away the rapidly increasing amount of tears in his eyes and willed away his want to cry. This was not the time. This could either be his version of Hogwarts, or another twisted reality. That would explain the man holding him hostage.
The nagging voice of Delphi slipped into his thoughts, “It’s your fault, you know that?”
Albus wanted to agree. But before he could slip into the self depreciating train of thoughts he was oh-so-familiar with, the man jostled him again, this time harsher.
Albus’s head spun and he stumbled against the man, who responded by giving him a harsh shove.
“You have five seconds”, the voice drawled out, his tone right at the line between bored and impatient. It was a very fine line. The man dug his wand deeper and Albus winced.
Albus yelped, “Please.” It burst out before he could help himself, “Please don’t touch him.” He continued weakly, suddenly overwhelmed by all the eyes staring at him from the outburst.
“Why should we do that?” Another voice intoned. Albus knew that voice! So, this wasn’t a cursed reality, this was real. He cursed himself as a tear slipped involuntarily out of his eye. It was the dust in the air dammit!
“Headmistress?” He looked up at the thin figure of the elder lady. She scrutinized him, not sure if she should recognize him or not.
“Headmistress, it’s me,” Albus continued, much to her bewilderment, too desperate to care about pleading.
“Please, it’s me, Albus!” His voice cracked. “It was Delphi, she came and- and Scorpius-” Tears flowed down his face.
“Headmistress? Severus, release this boy.” The woman gasped.
She hadn’t the slightest clue of who he was or why she was addressed that way, but in front of her was a clearly distraught child, and this didn’t sit right with her.
The man promptly released him and shoved him unceremoniously toward Scorpius. Albus scrambled toward his lifeless body and cupped his pale face between his hands.
He rocked on his heels, and didn’t stop the sobs from racking his body.
“No, no, Scorp, please”, he begged, “Please.” Albus wasn’t sure what he was pleading for, but the overwhelming feeling of sorrow in his chest kept building and he felt choked.
He could feel the curious gazes of the adults on his back, but couldn’t bring himself to care.
“Please.” He pressed a wet kiss to his forehead and continued to whisper into his cold skin.
This wasn’t his world, his Headmistress, his Professors. This was someplace foreign and he really, really wanted to cry.
“Potter, I would stop this blubbering nonsense at once.” The man’s voice from earlier drawled, annoyed.
Albus looked up, more confused than anything. Potter? Again?
The man shouldn’t know that.
He wiped the tears away from his face with his other sleeve and inhaled sharply at the sight.
The man donned black set of robes, and had a famously hooked nose and scowl Albus was all too familiar with, having seen it in his common room for five years of his life.
“Severus Snape.” Albus breathed out, too much in shock. The man scowled down at him like he killed a child.
Albus clutched Scorpius shirt like a lifeline but looked around the room, finally absorbing his surroundings. It was the Headmasters office, but not the one he was familiar with. The walls were a different shade and it lacked two portraits.
That explains why I’m seeing a dead man.
No- two dead men. What the fuck?
Albus’s grip on Scorpius loosened when he met eyes with a pair of strange, twinkling periwinkle eyes.
Accompanying the expression filled with mirth on the man’s face was an air of great power, one that could only come with years of experience and knowledge.
His putrid bright robes with crazy patterns stuck blended right in with the atmosphere of the room.
So this isn’t his Headmasters office. But it is. But it isn’t.
Then it all hit him like a truck. Albus sagged into his body weight and sighed. He wiped the remaining tears streaked across his face and his nose, straightened his shoulders and stood up.
Well, he stumbled up, more like it, but who’s counting.
“Please help Scorpius.” He started again, trying to start a slightly sensible train of thought. He hated how his voice trembled and his hands shook.
“Please- no.” He restarted, running his hand through his tangled mane of hair, “I know you don’t know who I am, but he’s been cursed too many times.”
Albus didn’t want to say the word.
Say it. What are you afraid of? The voice taunted in his ear.
“My boy, you’ll have to tell us-“
Albus forced his brain not to go haywire after hearing the Albus Dumbledoor speak. His namesake.
“No.” He was more forceful this time. “He was Cruciod more times than I can count on my fingers. ” He ignored Severus’s strangled gasp.
“Please.” He turned to the one familiar face of his Headmistress, “Professor, please get him help. Or medical attention. Or just a diagnostic spell, or- or just anything! I just can’t- I can’t-” He began to ramble,
“I can’t watch him die.” His voice came out in a whisper as he stared at the boy he loved.
The boy he loved.
“Minerva, my dear, if you may,” The man’s voice interrupted his stupor with a nod towards the door.
“Of course.” She cast one last look at the blonde boy's body, horrified one could do that to a child, before hurrying to Poppy’s office.
Albus felt a warm hand on his shoulder and turned around to meet the Headmaster's eyes once more. Dumbledoor squinted his eyes and gave a small, jovial chuckle.
Albus couldn’t fathom why he was laughing. This wasn’t some joke.
“My boy, why don’t you sit.” He gently guided Albus over to a plush, velvet armchair and gave him a small pat on his back, leaving no room for argument.
Not that Albus would argue, for that matter. He gratefully sank into it and couldn’t help but sigh as the exhaustion from the past hours drained from his bones.
“Severus, my boy, why don’t you fetch a Pepper Up potion…”
Albus couldn’t hear the rest of what he ordered, but before he knew it, the door creaked open and entered Professor McGonagal and Madam Pomfry.
“Oh dear!” She gasped when she laid eyes on his body. “What happened to Mr. Malfoy?” She hurriedly paced to his side and checked for all the proper things.
“Poppy, dear, this isn’t…”
Albus stared hazily from where she sat, ensuring she wouldn't hurt him.
You idiot, of course she wouldn’t hurt him. That's Madam Pomfry.
As Madam Pomfry cast a diagnostic spell and assessed his vitals, Albus watched as Minerva hustled over to Dumbledoor’s side and initiated some sort of conversation.
Something about what to do with us, no doubt.
The tense silence of the room was broken by a small tsk from Madam Pomfry. She stood up and brushed off her clothes, and cast a simple levitation charm to gently move Scorpius’s body to the chair positioned next to Albus.
He quickly reached out to cradle his head and flinched when the boy's body was wracked with another tremor.
“…other than that, he should wake in a few minutes, poor dear.” Albus barely heard her finish speaking over the rush in his ears.
He looked up when she walked over to him, “Would it be alright if I cast a quick check up on you, dearie?”
Albus sighed, too tired to argue, “Sure, why not.”
A warm feeling encompassed him and he squinted at the white hue surrounding his body. She quickly analyzed,
“Take this potion, it’ll help you feel all better, my dear.”
She gently tilted his head back and Albus sighed in relief as the cool liquid soothed his throat. He suddenly felt much better, his eyes brighter and his brain less fuzzy.
She gave him a quick comforting pat on the cheek and nodded to the Professors before making her leave.
Her soft and warm demeanor was almost suddenly extinguished when Severus Snape paced into the room with a scowl on his face.
“Where’s the boy?” He growled.
Minerva interrupted with a soft chime, “Be gentle with him, Severus.”
Before he could do anything, a grimy hand harshly gripped his chin and shoved his mouth open. He squirmed away in protest as Severus Snape dropped vile tasting drops onto his tongue.
Albus spat out in disgust when the man stepped back, “What the hell was that for?”
Before he could get up, his brain slowed down and everything became razor sharp to his senses.
Oh… Albus knew what this potion was.
“Severus, now, that’s enough.” Minerva rapped and touched the man’s arm.
“I will handle the interrogation, Albus.”
“If you insist, my boy.”
Interrogation? Huh.
This quickly confirmed Albus’s suspicion that this was not in fact a Pepper Up potion and soured at the thought of what was going to happen next, the truth of the matter weighing down on him.
Before he could even think, Severus Snape began.
“State your full name, age, date of birth, and alliances in this war.”
The words involuntarily stumbled out of Albus’s mouth in a monotonous fashion, “Albus Severus Potter, 15 years of age, born on August 27, 2006.”
Severus stood frozen in shock. This is not what he had expected at all. This must be a joke. What other explanation for a Potter bearing his name?
Albus continued, “I have no alliances in the Second Wizarding War because I was born after my father ended it.”
He coughed out before he could stop with a flurry of emotions, “I do not support Voldemort or his daughter, Delphi, that wretched little bitc-“
“That’s quite enough, Mr. Potter.” Minerva admonished, the shock evident in her voice. Severus simply curled the ends of his mouth down, choosing to ignore what the boy said.
“Who is the boy next to you, and what are his alliances?”
Severus interrupted her, much more furious than before.
The blonde boy bore a striking resemblance to Draco Malfoy, and he was certain this is not what he thought this was.
The trio held their breath, waiting for him to speak.
Once again the words tumbled out of his mouth, “He is Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy-“
Severus inhaled sharply and started in horror at the boys. That meant Draco had survived the war, which by itself was wonderful. But with a Potter? Disgusting.
He choked on his spit and wished he could stop speaking, “my best fri- boyfriend,” the potion forced the words out of him, “and he is not allied with Voldemort or his followers.”
The man paced around Albus, assessing him with narrowed eyes. He stopped directly in front of the chairs and leaned in, hissing, “How, exactly, did you two get in this office?”
Minerva made a noise of agreement in the background. It’s true- the Headmasters office is known to be the most secure place in the entire castle. Along with the wards placed on the campus, it was nearly impossible to aparate there.
Well, it should have been impossible.
Albus felt hot tears rising to his eyes at the memories now flooding through his brain. He wanted to stop, but the truth potion made it hard to; as the emotions were pure and true.
“I- we were in the maze,” he began, stumbling over some words in a rush. “And we had grabbed the cup, because you see, we were trying to save Cedric Diggory from dying, but we didn’t know that she- Delphi- had tricked us and then we tried to escape- no- stop her, then- then,” Albus stopped the word vomit and glanced at his boyfriend.
“Then she Cruciod Scorpius to try to get me to comply to her plan, but I couldn’t, you see?” Albus was near hyperventilating now, “I couldn’t just leave him there because that would mean-“
“Who is Delphi?” Severus intoned, allowing no pity for the boy to seep into his voice.
Albus was caught off guard and clutched the velvety material of the chair in an attempt to ground himself.
I probably shouldn’t say this.
“She’s the daughter of Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange.”
The words spilled out of him before he had the chance to shut his mouth. He looked up, horrified at the professors, only to be met with expressions mirroring his own.
“The daughter of who?”
“I told you, the daughter of-”
“Severus the antidote,” Dumbledoor interjected before hurrying to the back of his desk.
Snape shoved his mouth open once more, forcing Albus to swallow more vile tasting drops, then turned away and a swish of his robes, standing by Professor McGonagall’s side.
Albus’s head cleared and he couldn't stop the bright flush spreading along his cheeks as he took in what he said. He said Scorpius was his boyfriend.
He had said Scorpius was his boyfriend and revealed who Delphi was.
Albus had never made it official with Scorpius, but was that really what he thought of him?
“Well,” the Headmaster started with a tone too bright for the tense atmosphere, “I believe introductions are in order.”
He flourished his arm, “I am Professor Dumbledoor, though you may know that, as it seems I am your namesake, my boy?”
Albus nodded dumbly as he processed. Albus Dumbledoor. The actual Albus Dumbledoor.
“Yeah,” he cleared his throat.
“I am honored.” He replied with a curious smile.
“Er- that’s great? Uh, sir.” Albus had no idea how to respond. What was he supposed to say, you’re welcome, your greatness?
Albus swore he heard someone snicker at his lame response.
“Professor McGonagol is what you may call me.” His Headmaster interjected smoothly.
Albus gave her a shy smile, “Hullo Headmistress.”
Severus Snape raised an eyebrow in question.
“Headmistress? I suppose that means Albus is…” she gasped and covered her mouth, turning to face the old man.
“I assume I am not alive in your time?” He smiled sadly.
“Yes. You died in my dad’s sixth year. Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. You don’t- I mean you do die, but not”-, he snapped his mouth shut in mortification.
“That might alter the timeline.” He added sheepishly.
“Don’t worry, my boy.” The current headmaster soothed before gesturing towards Severus Snape.
Albus sat up straighter, staring intently. In his time, the wall on the common room facing the door was filled with a portrait of the man. Only, when Albus conversed with him in the future, he was much kinder, more open to share stories with him.
He remembered in his first year, when he told the Professor he was his namesake, the man simply smiled in shock before telling him about his Grandmother. It was quite lovely, really.
Albus doesn’t think this Severus Snape could smile.
This Severus Snape had a permanent scowl etched on his face and seemed to think everything smelled like sewage. It was quite unerving.
Damn, what changed?
“My name is Severus Snape,” he drawled out his words, adopting a bored attitude, “you will address me by Professor Snape.”
“I know.” Albus tilted his head, “Your portrait is in my common room.”
Severus had the grace to look admonished.
“Shit. I wasn’t supposed to say that either!”
Albus groaned into his hands before peeking out at the trio. “I guess I should just say that you both are dead in my time… so yeah.” He pointed at them before ending lamely and staring at his hands.
“Your common room?” Minerva repeated, having a growing suspicion of the boy’s house.
“Well yeah, Professor Snape was a hero in Slytherin. It only makes sense.”
“Hero?” The professor snarled in disgust, in an attempt to mask his true feelings.
The Headmaster gave a bright chuckle. “Well, my boy, that certainly confirms your house.”
“A Potter in Slytherin?” His Headmistress mused to herself. Afterall, it was quite a ridiculous thought.
Severus simply stared, trying to process the information. Maybe he was wrong about this Potter…?
My Dad’s as Gryffindor as they get.
Albus wasn’t sure if he should be bitter or not.
“Oh, right.” Albus reponsed lightly, not really caring anymore before drifting his gaze from the Professors to Scorpius. He squeezed his cold hand gently.
“Are you and Mr. Malfoy…?” Minerva dropped the end of her question in attempts to maintain decency, but Albus could get what she was hinting at.
“Yes. We are.” He challenged and held her gaze, clutching his boyfriend’s hand even tighter.
“Well, that’s quite a surprise.” She couldn’t help herself, because really. A Potter and a Malfoy getting along. Quite a feat.
“Curious indeed.” The Headmaster smiled, before addressing Albus, “I believe your acquaintance is waking up, Mr. Potter.”
Albus gasped and turned back to Scorpius, immediately tuning out the adults in the room. All of his attention was for Scorpius only.
The blonde boy’s eyes gently fluttered and Albus smiled to himself as he saw the color return to his cheeks.
“Scorpius,” Albus gently whispered to him, “Love, can you hear me?”
He stroked his free hand against Scorpius’s soft cheek, brushing his thumb against the curve of his mouth, feeling hopelessly relieved as the blonde boy’s lips twitched against his fingers.
He’s regaining consciousness.
“Albus?” Scorpius croaked out, his voice raw from screaming. He squinted his eyes wider, wincing at the harsh light.
Albus felt tears rise to his eyes at the sound of his voice, “Yeah, Scorp, I’m here.” He gave a watery smile.
He coughed and shuddered before responding, and Albus just wanted to wrap him up in his arms and never let any harm come to him again.
“Where are we?” Scorpius glanced nervously around the room, not yet noticing the professors watching the spectacle with wide eyes.
Scorpius tried to push himself into a sitting position, but was in too weak of a state to do so. It was very, very frustrating.
“Here, I got you,” Albus helped shift him into the position he liked and once they were both comfortable enough
Scorpius sighed and closed his eyes, trying in vain to ease the discomfort.
Albus wished he could take some of his pain.
“Hey, Scorp?” Albus nervously started.
Scorpius hummed to let him know he was listening without opening his eyes.
“Well, we’re in the Headmaster’s office right now, along with some Professors…”
Scorpius peaked open one eye to glance at Albus, “Don’t you mean Headmistress, love?”
Albus decidedly didn’t respond, and instead turned his head towards the trio of adults in an uncomfortable silence.
Headmistress McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledoor looked like they saw something wonderful, while Professor Snape looked like he swallowed a lemon.
“Albus?” Scorpius lifted his head and gave him a quizzical glance.
Albus shifted on the chair and coughed, nodding his head to the Professors.
He watched as Scorpius’s serene expression morphed into a comically shocked look in a matter of seconds. He blinked owlishly at the trio and then back at Albus.
“Holy shit!”
“Yup.”
“Language Mr. Malfoy!” Professor McGonagall was quick to admonish.
Scorpius looked horrified and quickly rectified, “Sorry Headmistress, it’s just that there’s two dead people standing literally next to you and-“ he immediately stopped and paled considerably, turning back to Albus.
“Al, please tell me this is not another timeline.” He whispered pleadingly, “I don’t know if I can do that again.”
“No, we’re just in the past.” Albus responded as calmly as he could. His heart was beating so loudly he was certain Scorpius could hear it.
Scorpius was quite offended, “Just in the past my ass!”
“Mr. Malfoy,” Professor Dumbledoor interjected, “I understand this is quite shocking-“
“Oh really? No shit.” Scorpius snickered under his breath along with Albus, which didn’t go untouched by the adults.
Severus raised a firm eyebrow at his retort. Such behavior wasn’t tolerated in his house. Children were treated with leniency, but crude language should be punished.
“But,” the Headmaster smoothly continued, “My colleagues and I are overjoyed to see you alright.”
“Thanks Professor,” Scorpius responded sincerely.
He turned his head to Albus once more, opening his mouth in shock, “Albus Dumbledoor just spoke to me. The Albus Dumbledoor.”
Albus heard a snicker in the background, but couldn’t place who it was. He turned to the Professors, each with their own expression of mirth or equally disgust, but they didn’t seem to be the ones who laughed.
He darted his eyes around the room.
“Did you hear that?”
Minerva paced closer, “Hear what Mr. Potter?” Glanced curiously at him.
“I swear I just heard someone laugh.” Albus breathed out, “Scorp, you heard that, right?”
Dumbledoor swept around his desk and gave a quick chuckle before turning to face the wall opposite him,
“Colleagues, boys, it appears we have some more guests.”
“Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Ms. Granger,” he continued, and Albus stared numbly, dreading what was about to happen, “if you would please reveal yourselves?”
Albus and Scorpius met each other's eyes in a panicked frenzy, just as Professor Snape stalked over to the now shimmery blob in the air, and ripped the Invisibility Cloak off of the trio.
Standing there, huddled against each other, were the infamous Golden Trio, but Albus’s own age. It was quite unnerving.
Albus tried to swallow the bitter feeling rising in his chest. He really did. But, looking at his Dad, with his famously tousled hair, glasses askew on his nose, shirt untucked and sheepish expression on his face; he looked just like Albus- and he hated it.
His Dad, though, was pale and skinny, while Albus was more tan and filled out; he could thank the Weasley genetics for that.
He tore his gaze away from his father, who was now blinking in a shocked stupor at Albus. I guess it was justified having a reaction like that- figuring out you have a son, and he’s an exact carbon copy of you. Figures.
Albus supposed Aunt Hermione looked about the same, but instead of a neat updo on top of her head, her frizzy curls framed her face like a mane. Uncle Ron looked the most different, with his lanky frame and slim figure.
Albus knew him only as the fearsome Auror; with filled out muscles and broad shoulders. Really, a force to be reckoned with himself.
But them, the three teenagers staring at the two intruders, were nothing like they expected.
Though Albus was quite certain he and Scorpius weren’t really expected either.
“Uh, Al?” Scorpius’s strained voice interrupted his tirade of thoughts.
“Yeah?” He forced his eyes away and turned to Scorpius.
“You’re squeezing my hand too hard.”
“Oh, sorry Scorp.” He loosened his grip and gave him a bashful smile.
“S’fine.”
Hermione was the first to break the tense atmosphere of the professors, “This is not what it looks like-”
Professor Snape held the shimmering cloak and said dryly, “Ms. Granger, I can assure you, this is exactly what it looks like.”
He paced the length of the room, “Three Gryffindors out of bed and sneaking around.” He sneered and whipped around, “I ought to take points for this offense. Your house can thank you when you lose the House Cup-“
“Severus, enough of that.” Professor McGonagall stepped in, but not before giving the three a very stern look.
“I expect to see you three in my office tomorrow morning, before your classes.”
“But Professor, we-“
She narrowed her eyes, “If you choose to be late or forget, then you will be serving detentions for a month for this offense.”
“Professor, we really didn’t mean to-” Albus’s dad tried to interject, but to no avail.
“Do not interrupt me, Mr. Potter. Sneaking around after hours! What were you thinking! This could have been quite dangerous, how would you have known what was going on in here?”
She ceased her pacing, “Now, I understand you three have a knack for getting into trouble, but I expect more from you.”
Albus and Scorpius watched the exchange, barely able to disguise their amusement. Nothing could have prepared Albus for watching his own Dad get told off by his Headmistress.
Albus turned and whispered into Scorpius’s ear, “Just imagine how’d they react if they saw what we got up to.”
He smirked as a steady blush spread over his boyfriend’s pale face to the tips of his ears with satisfaction.
Scorpius jabbed him on the side.“You little-“
“But you love me.” Albus interjected.
Scorpius stared at him and slowly breathed out, “yeah.” His eyes sparkled and he looked so fucking pretty.
‘Love me’. I guess I do love him
Albus’s breath caught in his throat, and he desperately wanted to tell Scorpius- no. This was certainly not the time.
Scorpius just snickered against his skin and watched as the two Professors commenced.
Albus retorted, “They’re probably rolling in their graves right now.”
Scorpius snorted out loud, drawing the attention of the six others in the room almost immediately.
“Is this amusing you, Mr. Malfoy?” Professor McGonagal raised her eyebrow.
“Nothing of the sort Headmistress.” Scorpius recited with the perfectly rehearsed innocence and a small smile on his face. Albus thought he looked beautiful like that.
He also swore he heard Uncle Ron mutter something that sounded like, “Typical for a Malfoy.” Under his breath. But it must have been the wind, right?
Right.
“…very well then,” Professor McGonagal finished, “head straight to bed.”
His dad stepped forward. “Professor, you can’t just expect us to go back to bed! He just claimed to be my son!” He gestured wildly over to Albus and he couldn’t help but smile and give a little wave.
“Yeah, Professor, if they’re really who they claim to be-“
“They used Verutism, Ronald-”
“Well, since they are who they claim to be, then we really should stay. Since we’re basically relatives.”
How close you are, Uncle Ron.
Albus watched as Headmaster Dumbledoor glided from his spot at his desk to the main landing of the office. He watched the entire exchange like it was a play, his expression filled with amusement.
“Minerva, Severus, they are allowed to stay.” He turned to Albus and Scorpius, and Albus could help but sit up straighter from all the attention on him.
“I think it’s time for us all to retire to sleep very soon, but first, let’s all become acquaintances,” he paused curiously, “though I’m sure you two know them well enough already?”
His eyes sparkled and looked around the room with too much joy for what had just happened to Scorpius.
Albus thought his tone was quite condescending, and was not particularly happy.
“On Mr. Weasley’s note, Albus, Mr. Potter appears to be the only relative in this room, so it should seem fit that only he stays.” Professor McGonagal interjected.
Scorpius cast a quick glance at Albus, and he barely suppressed a smile.
“Well, Professor, that’s quite far from the truth.”
“What?” Hermione exclaimed before she could help herself, then meekly rectified, “Sorry!”
Professor Snape rolled his eyes and drew out a breath, “And what, pray tell, do you mean by that, Mr. Potter?”
Before Albus could speak, his Uncle Ron inhaled sharply, “Oh Merlin’s Beard! One of us marries a Malfoy!” He grabbed onto Hermione’s arm. .
“Like any Malfoy would willingly marry a Weasley.” Scorpius preened, highly enjoying his reactions to the retorts.
“Watch it! That’s my family you're talking about there!” Ron shot back.
Scorpius eyed him up and down, “What’s the problem with marrying to us then, Uncle Ron?” He asked sweetly.
The redhead choked, while Harry snickered beside him, “Uncle Ron?”
Albus nodded and interjected, “Yeah, you told him to call you that yourself, actually. Also”, Albus glanced around the room and landed his gaze on his younger Dad.
“Would it be the right time to say that I’m a Weasley?”
Hermione gasped and turned to Harry, “Harry- that means-“
Professor McGonagal could hardly contain her surprise.
“Harry!” Ron jumped. “You- my sister- You!” He looked absolutely mortified.
“You marry Ginny!” Hermione exhaled at the same time, covering it up with a similar, more G-rated conclusion.
“Er- something like that.” Scorpius muttered, much to Albus’s disgust.
“Ew, Scorp, that’s my mother.” Albus hissed back.
Harry’s eyes were blown wide with trepidation and he gaped at the two boys, having seemingly lost his ability to speak.
Beside him, Scorpius straightened his back as much as he could, “Well, I’ll have to agree with Albus.”
“Agree to what, Mr. Malfoy? Please continue with haste, I have places to be.” Albus jumped, despite the Professor’s long, drawn out tone.
He forgot the Professors were in the room along with the Golden Trio.
Scorpius simply raised his eyebrow and pursed his lips.
Since Albus was so familiar with that face, he knew Scorpius was planning something.
He continued as if he’d not stopped talking and faced Albus, rather than the others, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“It's really quite obvious what family you come from.”
He pitched his voice higher and nasally, tilted his chin up, effectively drawing the attention of the room.
Albus smirked, catching Uncle Ron’s eyes, seeing where this was going.
All the eyes turned to him and the blonde boy continued unperturbed, “Red hair, freckles-“
“- must be a Weasley!” Albus finished with an equally distasteful voice, collapsing into giggles with Scorpius.
Professor McGonagal sighed in the background and pinched the bridge of her nose, having witnessed this very exchange, many years ago.
“Mr. Potter, I believe-“
“Yes, Professor?”
“No- not you, other Mr. Potter.”
“Er- right.” Harry shoved his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat.
“Well then, shall we continue with introductions? It’s getting quite late.” She addressed the entire room, “I believe Mr. Potter has a few things to say.”
She faced Albus with a raised eyebrow and gestured to everybody else with an expecting expression.
Oh well, here goes nothing.