Two weeks before school ended, Scorpius lay in bed, his arms tucked under his head and the wireless turned to the public radio station. Albus was in the bed next to his, but his drapes were closed tightly and no sound came from that direction.

Scorpius sighed and tried to push away the pain within his stomach. Their relationship had deteriorated since Christmas holiday, especially since Scorpius had refused to break it off with Cecilia. Frowning, he did remember Albus saying that Scorpius’ relationship with Cecilia didn’t matter – but he guessed that was all talk.

Being with Albus had been great the first couple of months after they had – sex. God, he felt his heart quicken just thinking about all the times they had snuck off to be alone on Quidditch field or broom closet. He missed the connection he had with Albus, but he should’ve known that it wouldn’t last. Night after night, as Cecilia continued to sit with Scorpius at the Slytherin table, Albus’ sneer became deeper, his expression darker.

Soon Scorpius realised that Albus was avoiding him. Then Albus stopped talking to him all together. He missed his friend.

Sighing quietly, he turned on his side and reached for the wireless volume, turning it up as his favourite writer from the Prophet, Portland McDaniel, began speaking as the guest analyst.

“We’re here with journalist, Portland McDaniel, the man of course responsible for the controversy surrounding Ophelia Leach at the moment. How are you this evening, McDaniel?”

“Very fine, thank you.”

“I’d like to begin by asking you how you’ve come to the conclusions about Leach that you report about. As we all know, I’m talking about the unfortunate death of Haywarth Susan.”

“Yes, well I don’t disclose any of my sources, but I can tell you that I’m positive Leach was responsible for her death. Now, I’m not saying she killed Susan herself. I actually think she had help.”

“Now that is a heavy thing to accuse someone of – especially someone who is running for Minister of Magic.”

“Of course it is. But I wouldn’t accuse Leach of anything if I didn’t have proof.”

“When will you tell us how you acquired such evidence?”

“When my sources are dead. Which won’t – of course – be for a long time. Hopefully. Now I’d like to turn my attention to the third piece of this triangle – Professor Orson Welles.”

“For those who don’t know, Welles is potion’s master at Hogwarts.”

“Yes, yes – he’s also a long time friend of Leach. Ex-friend of Susan. Nasty fellow, I can tell you. I know that he gave Susan the ingredients for the potion that killed her – he was very loyal to Leach. Why wouldn’t Leach and Welles kill her together if Susan was defaming Leach in public?”

“Again, we still don’t know how you know all this –”

“I can’t believe that shite!” Scorpius jumped when he heard the voice. Looking up, he realised Albus was standing at the edge of his bed, his expression livid. “Professor Welles is not a nasty man, you know that!”

The pain from the past few months surged through Scorpius. He wanted to hurt Albus. Shrugging, he said, “I don’t know. McDaniel seems like he knows what really happened. I think I should write my own article about this – you know, from the perspective of someone that was there.”

Albus glared down at him. “You weren’t really there. I can’t believe you are buying into what that wanker McDaniel is saying. It’s obvious that he just doesn’t like Leach. The stupid Prophet doesn’t like Leach.”

“THE PROPHET IS NOT STUPID!” He felt spittle fly from his mouth. Albus was such a fucking arse! How could he not see it? Leach and Susan were friends – Susan was publically humiliating Leach, so Leach asked Welles to kill her. If it was good enough for McDaniel, it was good enough for him.

Scorpius moved to close his drapes, but a strong hand wrapped around his wrist. “Let go of me!” he snarled, turning his head away.

“Fuck, will you calm down? Keep acting like that and I’ll start to believe that my cock was never up your arse.”

Scorpius glared at him. “I’m – not the one who – Whatever, I’ll just go down to the newspaper room. I think I’ll get started on that article about how Welles is a murderer!”

Staring, Albus said, “Y-you can’t do that.” He grabbed hold of Scorpius’ shoulder. “Just – will you promise me something?”

“What?” Scorpius tried not to look at him.

“Just – come with me to ask Welles about the accusations, tomorrow – okay?”

“What!”

“No – please – at least allow him to respond. Isn’t that what good journalism is all about? Getting both sides of the story?” Albus looked at him, pleading.

Scorpius hesitated. He was right. “Fine – fine, but you are coming with me!”

“Tomorrow?” Albus pleaded.

“Yeah, tomorrow.” Scorpius gritted his teeth and walked away. Fuck Albus.

.:.

"He's not in his office," Albus said, motioning to the locked door with his hand. They stood outside Welles' office, full from the pork chops and steamed broccoli that was served at dinner. Scorpius felt satisfied and lazy – the house elves were Gods when it came to making a good meal.

Scorpius didn't look at him – he was staring at a figure walking quickly down the corridor, its black cloak trailing behind silently. "Do you think that's him?"

"Hey! Professor Welles!" Albus yelled, waving his hands as if the figure could see with his back turned to them.

"Do you think we should follow him?" Scorpius asked, shifting his stance uncomfortably. Nerves twisted his stomach – he had no idea that he'd be this nervous about confronting Welles. It made him angry, his reaction – he'd have to get over his fear if he wanted to be a good journalist and investigator.

Albus' expression was guarded. "Yeah, we'll have to." Something was not right. He gave Albus a suspicious look, but it went unseen as they ran toward the professor. It seemed they had lost him until they entered the main hall and heard someone opening those grand doors at the front. Out of breath, Scorpius bowed over and clutched at his side. "Come on, we can't let him get away." Albus tugged on his sleeve.

"I say," Scorpius gasped for breath, feeling his dinner turn in his stomach, "what is this? We can just catch him later."

"No!" Albus yelled, pulling him. "It has to be tonight. I – I don't trust you to see him anytime else."

Rolling his eyes, Scorpius pulled his arm away. "You can trust me," he said in a deadpanned tone, crossing his arms over his chest.

"No," Albus muttered, not even looking at him. He paused as he stared at the two oak doors, then grabbed Scorpius' wrist and took off running without warming. Yelping, Scorpius almost tripped over his own feet as he tried to keep up. Out of the corner of his eye he saw that pesky Filch cat prowling around the corner. He flinched as he heard the loud noise the doors made closing behind them. With his luck Filch would be waiting for them once they tried to get back into the castle.

"Albus – what if we get caught? I don't want to spend the last months of school in detention!" Scorpius said, his chest tightening with pain.

"Whatever," Albus answered, squinting as he tried to spot Welles through the darkness, "they should be sucking on our balls, the fuckers."

Running, Scorpius felt the soft grass under his feet and the damp air clouding his face.

"There – right there!" Albus said urgently, his own breathing harsh. Welles was just beyond the gates. The man hesitated a moment, then Apparated with a loud crack.

Relieved, Scorpius tried to slow down. "Look – we lost him. Don't – even know – where – he's gone to."

"No, I know! I know!" He sped up and Scorpius felt the bones within his wrist ache at the tension.

"W-wait!" Scorpius tried to say once they were beyond the gates, but Albus wrapped his arms quickly around him and Scorpius felt the uncomfortable squeeze of Apparation.

A moment later he opened his eyes and found himself outside the Hogs', the Hogsmeade street dark and silent. He blinked a few times, trying to regain his bearings. Taking deep gulps of air, he looked to Albus, small anger shimmering to the surface.

"What are we doing here! What if we get caught, huh? What do you say to that!" he felt his voice grow higher and higher with each word.

Albus' eyes blazed, the light breeze rustling his hair. "You are the one who wants to get Welles! This should be something you are excited about!"

"I – I – " Scorpius had nothing to say. He knew somewhere in his mind that Albus was right, but he also knew how ridiculous the whole situation was.

"Just – fuck, follow me!" Albus pulled open the worn door and walked in confidently. Scorpius hesitated for a moment – surely people in there would recognise them? He took a deep breath and opened the door just as Albus was looking behind. "Look!" he said suddenly, grabbing hold of Scorpius' shoulder and pointing across the bar.

Scorpius' heart nearly stopped in his chest. Sitting there with Professor Welles was none other than Ophelia Leach. It seemed they were casually having a drink, but a horrible, pained expression was etched within Leach's wrinkled face. Scorpius was astonished – candidates for Minister didn't have a drink at the Hogs', as if they were a normal person!

With his hand still on Scorpius' shoulder, Albus pulled him back, trying to cover themselves within shadows.

"Oi, what do you lads want to drink?" the barman asked, staring at them with suspicious eyes. "You not Hogwarts kids, are you?"

Albus laughed, shaking his head. "Absolutely not, Edgar. I'm actually surprised you don't remember me!"

Edgar looked stunned. "Are you sure? I don't remember you from nowhere. . ."

"Yes, well you wouldn't – seeing as everyone at that party was drunk as hell," Albus answered swiftly, staring straight at the man without blinking. What a sly liar, you are, Scorpius thought, quite jealous. Why couldn't he lie so effortlessly?

"My partner and I here, we'd like to use your toilets, is that all right?" Edgar nodded mutely, a look of confusion on his face.

Scorpius reddened as he followed Albus up the creaking stairs, just knowing that people had heard him call Scorpius his partner. How embarrassing. "I can't believe you just did that," he said once they were in the upper corridor.

Albus shrugged. "Dad knows him – though I doubt that drunkard even knows that."

"No – well, yeah that was impressive. But I mean you calling me your 'partner'."

Albus gave him a hard look. "What does it matter? No one knows us down there!"

Opening his mouth to retort, he froze as he heard people coming up the stairs. The voices sounded very much like Welles and Leach.

"In here, quick!" Albus whispered, pulling him into the only room unoccupied and leading him into a closet. A moment later Welles and Leach walked in, shutting the door behind them and locking it. He became suspicious once more – how in the hell did Albus know that Welles and Leach were going to choose this room? God, the whole thing was just a big mess.

They stared through the cracked door as Welles and Leach stood in the middle of the room. There were tears streaming down Leach's face. Scorpius let out a soft gasp, affected by the pure anguish he saw.

"I'm sorry," Leach said, taking out a handkerchief to dab her eyes. "I didn't mean to become this emotional around you."

Welles put an arm around her, rubbing her back in a comforting way. "Shh – it's perfectly okay. I know that article in the Prophet must have devastated you, that's why I asked you to meet me here for a drink." He pushed up his glasses with a hand while he stared down at her with a sad smile.

Scorpius leaned forward, alerted to their conversation.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "You've been reading that rubbish too? Those – monsters over there have such a biased to Savage it makes me sick. It's not my fault if they didn't agree with some of the implementations my Grandfather made!"

Welles nodded in sympathy. They stared at once another for a long moment, then Leach cried out, wrapping her arms around Welles. She sobbed into his shoulder. "I m-miss her so much. I keep on remembering us from school – she was such a great person. No one was a better friend than Haywarth."

"You were very close to her, I know." Welles' voice was strained, as if he was trying not to cry.

"I just can't believe she never told me that – she was depressed. I could have helped her!"

"She probably thought you were too busy with the campaign."

Leach's cries grew louder. "She – she was my best friend."

Within the darkness of the closet, Albus wrapped his arms around Scorpius protectively, pressing his face into the back of his neck. "Do you see now?" he asked quietly.

Scorpius nodded. He felt as if he had been trampled by a herd of hippogriffs. What a fucking stupid prat he had been.

.:.

After a few minutes in silence Welles and Leach left the room, followed by Albus and Scorpius. They made the journey back to Hogwarts without speaking. Scorpius' own dismay controlled his thoughts and he was sure Albus thought he was a right fool for whipping up such a far-fetched story. Only an hour ago he had thought Leach was a soulless beast with no feelings – now he knew she was just a grieving friend. He shuddered to imagine what he would feel like if Albus died, and he was accused of murdering him.

Back at the newspaper headquarters, Scorpius sat with his head in his hands, unable to meet Albus' face. He knew that the bastard must have felt smug as hell.

"Here, I want to show you something," Albus said, his voice strangely quiet.

Scorpius didn't look at him as he was handed a newspaper. It was a copy from the Time Watch on the same day the last article about Leach and Susan was published. The front cover read, Prophet's New Attack On Leach, Many Call It Disgusting! He only read the first few sentences, but he understood it was about how the Prophet would be facing libel issues if they didn't print an apology.

"They – said that they had proof," Scorpius said helpless. How could he have been so stupid? "I just – it all made sense! What did Welles use all that steraic for, eh? You tell me!"

Albus paused, then exhaled loudly. "Fourth years were learning about Skrewts and needed lots of burn cream, that's what Welles told me."

Scorpius' head snapped up. "You told him about me!"

"No, no! I just asked him casually about why we didn't have any – and, well – I also sort of heard him inviting Leach to the Hogs' tonight." Albus didn't meet his eyes.

"You – you set this whole thing up?" His whole face felt numb.

"Yeah." Albus paused, and then cleared his throat. “They say Susan killed herself. The article said she was depressed -- said something about how she was heartbroken that her relationship with Leach had ended. Her romantic relationship." Albus paused, then shuddered, his body trembling with what seemed like fear. After a moment he raised his eyes to Scorpius.

It made him feel horribly exposed. "W-what are you thinking about?"

"Just --" Albus stopped and raised his hand to his hair, raking his fingers through the black mess. "I know things have been weird for us lately but we’re friends, right?"

Scorpius snorted as he crossed his arms over his chest. Of course they were friends! What a question! After a moment of irritation, he responded, “Obviously.”

“Best friends?”

Staring, he felt his cheeks redden with anger, his chest beating up and down. Really, what was Albus playing at? “What is this? I don’t understand your point.”

“I love you.” The words were simple, but it caused twin gasps to echo through the room.

Gulping, he didn’t know how to respond. The silence between them was thick and painful, powerful.

Albus bent his head forward, his face a pale sheet of suppressed emotion. “Well, say something.”

Scorpius didn’t allow himself to think. “I love you – too.”

“THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!” Albus roared suddenly, the colour within his face changing dramatically. Red stained his forehead and cheeks, sweat appearing along his hairline. His eyes seemed furious. “Fuck! I’m tired of it – of it all! Do you understand me? DO YOU GET IT?”

“Okay.” He didn’t want to lose Albus just as Leach lost Susan. Things had to change between them before it was too late, and the changes had to obviously come from Scorpius. He felt his head swarm with the anxiety.

Albus stared at him with wide eyes, astonished. “Y-you really mean that?” He paused, and then added ruefully, “Of course you don’t mean it! I’ll believe you when you actually do it!”

Scorpius felt as if he was going to vomit. “I-I’ll do it tomorrow, promise.”

Breathing deeply, Albus cocked his head to the side and stared at him – hard. He could tell his friend didn’t think he would go through with it. Damn, he didn’t even think he had enough courage to do it.

.:.

“You’re doing this because of Potter, right?” Cecilia asked, her face lacking what seemed the normal emotion one should have when breaking up.

Scorpius felt his stomach twist into knots. “What do you mean?”

Cecilia huffed. “I mean, that you are ending it with me for – for him.”

Gaping, he asked, “How do you know?” Did the whole school know about their relationship?

“Charlene and I – we’ve been betting to see if all the rumours were true. You know, about Albus kissing you at the Slytherin meeting.” Her pale fingers pulled at the Ravenclaw tie around her neck.

Scorpius groaned. “Everyone talks about that?”

“Sure – but – GOD! You are such a bastard for leading me on like this. A year – and the whole time you’ve been a FAG!” Her chest beat up and down quickly, eyes blazing.

He wanted the Earth to swallow him whole at that moment. Closing his eyes to escape from the awful situation, he imagined what Albus would say. It doesn’t matter. You can suck it, bitch! Surprisingly, it helped and he felt a soft smile tug at the corners of his lips.

Giving Cecilia an awkward pat on the shoulder, he left her in the corridor and made his way back to the common room.

.:.

“I know you are put out because you can’t publish that exposing article,” Albus muttered as they lay in Scorpius’ bed. His voice was quiet and they pressed against one another, making sure not to wake their dorm mates.

“I really wanted to leave Hogwarts and the newspaper with a bang, you know?” He moved to rest his head on Albus’ shoulder.

Albus sighed contently. “You know, I have an idea.” He paused to gauge Scorpius’ reaction. “Why don’t you make a guide of sorts? A guide for gays at Hogwarts.”

Scorpius laughed. “That’s dumb.”

“No really,” Albus answered, his voice stronger, “I think a lot of kids out there would really need guidance at this prison. It was so hard for us, you know.”

The wheels within Scorpius’ mind began to turn. “I could get the staff to interview students – the nurse – professors. Maybe there are even some gay professors out there who could help.”

Albus snorted. “Right – and you could write an editorial on the subject.”

Groaning, Scorpius agreed. “That would surely be a way to eh, ‘come out’.”

Nodding, Albus said, “Right. And dedicate it to me, will you.”

.:.

Scorpius worked furiously on the newspaper for the next few weeks. Unable to look at all the research he had done on the murdering Welles suspicion without cringing, he threw it all away and began anew with collecting personal accounts on being gay at Hogwarts. He was a bit hesitant to discuss the issue with his staff, but after introducing the idea they all agreed it was a wonderful concept.

Even Johnathan, the boy who would be taking over for Scorpius, seemed excited for the newspaper to deal with such an uneasy topic. “We’d be tapping into a new base of readers, you know! I bet people will praise us for our bravery!”

Nodding, Scorpius said, "Don't forget about the student journalism awards."

Johnathan's face lit up. "Yeah! We should submit this issue as our best! We're sure to win!"

Scorpius felt as if he wanted to vomit. This issue would surely be his downfall, especially when he thought about the editorial he was writing. Albus was waiting for him outside the classroom, and they walked together down to the Great Hall.

Albus suddenly took a hold of Scorpius’ hand right before they entered the hall, and when people stared, Scorpius gulped and tried to appear calm.

“Remember, what they think doesn’t matter,” Albus whispered to him as they sat down. “All that matters is how we feel.”

Scorpius knew this, and he ignored the aching embarrassment blooming within his stomach. “I know – I know.” He looked up and caught Zabini’s eye, smiling steadily at him as the boy looked curiously between Albus and him.

He loved Albus. He wanted to be with Albus. Fuck anyone who didn’t like it.

.:.

The Magical Companion, Special Edition: A Guide for the Homosexual Student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was published a week before school ended. Scorpius could have sworn that whispers followed him through the castle, but when he asked Albus if he was experiencing anything similar, Albus had given him a strange look and called him, "Crazier than a wizard at Catholic mass."

Scorpius had crossed his arms. "Spell it, spell 'Catholic'."

Albus grinned widely. "Fuck you."

Everywhere he went he saw students reading the newspaper, though he suspected some of them laughed at it. Headmistress McGonagall even approached him one day after lunch.

"I think it was a wonderful edition, Mr Malfoy. Your father will be very proud." She smiled at him warmly.

Scorpius gulped thickly. He doubted that very much, and he feared what his father would say once he read the paper.

The next day a student delivered a note to him in class, saying that his father wanted to see him in the conference hall. Dread eclipsed his throughts and his head spun for a moment, his vision becoming blury. This was the final challenge he'd have to overcome to make Albus realise that their relationship was serious.

Walking slowly down the corridor, his mind flashed to different senarios – all ranging from his father smiling and patting him on the back, to his father throwing a chair against the wall and casting a full body-bind on Scorpius.

His father was sitting calmly at the end of a long table when Scorpius walked in, the Time Watch splayed out before him. He had a cuppa in front of him and one still steaming, ready for Scorpius.

Scorpius gulped, trying to clear the fear from his throat. "Hello, father."

His father looked up and nodded mutely, motioning to the chair beside him. "Scorpius, come sit down next to me. We have a few things to discuss."

He felt his stomach tighten with anxiety. "Okay," he said dumbly, pulling out the chair and sitting down. He took a quick gulp from his tea, and exclaimed, the liquid burning his tongue.

"Careful," his father warned, pulling out the Magical Companion from his breast pocket. Scorpius' stomach dropped. "So, explain this." His father pointed to the editorial Scorpius wrote.

Scorpius thought his heart would explode, it was beating so quickly. "Eh, what do you mean?"

His father stared at him. "Is it true?"

Staring down at the table, Scorpius nodded wordlessly.

Pausing, his father asked, "It's not – just a – phase?"

Scorpius looked up to meet his father's gaze. "No," he said, his voice stronge. Silent confidence began to build within him. "I'm – with Albus, too."

Sniffing, Scorpius' father rolled his eyes. "I figured as much." He sighed deeply.

They sat in silence for a long time. Finally, Scorpius became unnerved and asked, "Are you mad?"

"No."

He felt incredibly awkward. "Can I go, then?"

“No, wait.” His father put a hand on his shoulder. “No matter what, Scorpius, you are still my son. I was going to give you this once you left school, but I think this is the best time.” He paused to search within pocket, pulling out a long golden chain and watch that accompanied it.

Scorpius’ eyes widened. It was his grandfather’s watch, the one his father could never keep his hands off. There was no way his father could part with it. “You’re not –”

“Yes, I want you to have it. You are an adult now – it’s tradition to pass this on.” His father’s fingers tightened around the watch for a moment, and then he released it into Scorpius’ hands, sighing quietly. “I’m proud of you, Scorpius.”

Standing up to leave, he was sure he couldn’t feel his legs moving. He bent awkwardly and hugged his father. “Thank you,” he said quietly.

His father nodded. “See you at home in a few days.”

“Right,” Scorpius responded, unable to feel his lips. Albus was waiting for him outside the door.

“Well?” he asked, tightening his hold on his shoulder bag.

Scorpius just nodded. “He was – fine with it.”

Albus’ jaw dropped. “No way.” He took Scorpius’ hand within his. “That’s incredible.”

“I think he knew all along, you know.”

“Well, I know that I did.” Albus grinned at him.

Leaning forward, he kissed Albus lightly on the lips. “Thanks for waiting for me.”

“No problem.” Albus shrugged. “What are friends for?”

The End