She whispered

by Lucas Chesterton

  Albus holds his robes to his nose to stay the bleeding.

  Thea doesn’t bother to hide her black eye. Albus cringes, however, at the sight of her broken wrist.

  It’s not the first time she’s broken a bone during a match. In fact, it’s not even the first time Albus has broken a bone. He’s taken a bludger to the ribs during the final match of the season. But last year they won every game.

  This year they’ve started with a loss.

  ‘I don’t even know what to call what went on out there today,’ Alec grumbles and while he has every right to be disappointed, the match was more than impressive.

  They may have lost the game, but they also set a school record in points gained before the catching of the snitch. It’s why Thea looks the most disappointed. She’s just played the game of her life and has little to show for it.

  ‘Elara, were you asleep out there?’ he asks and the girl glares daggers at him in response. ‘You broke Thea’s wrist.’

  ‘I was aiming for Lysander,’ she says dryly and Albus tries not to look annoyed. It’s part of the game, he reminds himself.

  ‘Well your aim is rubbish,’ Alec hisses. ‘Hufflepuff had no issues with aim.’ He motions to Albus’ nose. ‘This puts us at the bottom.’

  ‘Calm down, Alec. There is still time to come back from this,’ Thea says.

  Alec shakes his head.

  ‘You look like death,’ he mutters. ‘I told you, you weren’t ready to play.’

  Thea stands, hiding the pain as she stands and steps forward.

  ‘I scored fifty points today, together the three of us scored eighty. That’s unheard of,’ she replies and while neither Emery or Sarlic are particularly fond of her, they nod their heads in agreement. ‘Instead of blaming us all, you should be���’

  ‘What? What, Thea? I should be praising you? Telling you how wonderful you did?’ he says, and his voice is nearly a shout. ‘If you hadn’t fouled Macmillan���’

  ‘If I hadn’t cut him off, you’d be in hospital. He was going to blindside you. The only reason it was called a foul was because the idiot purposefully fell of his broom.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. It was distraction enough for Scamander to get the snitch. You got in the way.’

  ‘Oh come off it,’ she says, her voice rising to meet his own and they both glare at each other for several moments.

  ‘We lost,’ Albus interrupts them and it’s loud enough that all eyes turn towards him. ‘We lost, and it’s not the first time we’ve lost. If you should be blaming anyone, you should be blaming me.’

  ‘Albus���’ Thea warns.

  ‘No, it was my fault. My head wasn’t in the game today. I could have caught the snitch an hour ago but I didn’t. I couldn’t. So stop laying into the rest of them. Thea, Sarlic, Emery…they scored eighty bloody points. Hufflepuff scored, what…ten before the snitch was caught?’

  ‘I still think that one shouldn’t have counted,’ grumbles Finnbar Flint, nursing his bloody lip with a grimace.

  ‘Either way, I fucked up. Not them.’

  Thea is itching to defend him but Albus refuses to look at her. He can fight his own battles, he reminds himself. He’s easily one of the weakest players on the team but he’s still here because of her. He knows that. Last year they went undefeated but Albus could never admit there was a bit of luck involved. The only reason he plays is because of Thea.

  And today he let them all down, her included.

  He stands, not waiting for Alec’s final words as he dismisses himself.

  The walk back to the castle is a steep one and he contemplates flying despite the awful pain in his nose. He wants to stop at the hospital wing for a fix before running into Thea. She can fix a nose, she has already tried before he brushed her off on the pitch. But she’ll assuredly need help with her wrist seeing as it’s her wand hand.

  October is nearing its end and the next match won’t be until the start of November. It will be colder then and Albus hates the cold weather. Now is nice, the chill in the air isn’t so bad as leaves change and fall to the ground in piles of red and orange. His feet shuffle through several piles before he hears footsteps bounding through them from behind his back.

  He’s ready to ignore Thea as the footsteps grow closer and he musters a proper scowl on his lips. He’s surprised, however, that the figure is not his small friend, but instead Lysander, standing tall and clad in his canary yellow robes.

  ‘I wondered if you’d ever get out of there,’ he says, grinning from ear to ear and despite the loss Albus can’t help but smile in return. ‘I assume by the shouts I heard when you came out of there that spirits were pretty low?’

  ‘You could say that,’ Albus says and he can feel Lysander’s gloved hand graze against his own.

  ‘I know we won, but everyone’s still raving about that score. I almost felt bad when I got the bugger,’ he says, referring to the snitch and Albus simply shrugs.

  ‘I was distracted,’ he says.

  ‘By me, perhaps?’ Lysander asks and Albus finds himself grinning like an idiot once again. He lets his hand fall into his and their fingers intertwine like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

  ‘A bit,’ Albus replies.

  ‘Not still about Malfoy?’ he asks and Albus looks up at him, his smile fading somewhat.

  ‘I just,’ he starts and shrugs. ‘I snapped at her. About us.’

  ‘Us?’ Lysander asks, nudging him slightly with his hips. ‘There’s an ‘us’ now?’

  ‘I dunno,’ Albus says, his cheeks flushed red and Lysander squeezes his hand as they pause mid-step. ‘I’d like there to be.’

  ‘Would you?’ Lysander says, raising an eyebrow. Albus’ heart is nearing his throat as they stand there, their eyes meeting.

  It’s not exactly how Albus was hoping it would be. He’s standing there with a broken nose and blood dripping down his face but Lysander is looking at him as though none of that matters and so he steps closer. Lysander, his small smile pulling wider, reaches for his wand and points it at Albus’ nose. He whispers, Episkey and though the resetting makes Albus hiss slightly, he’s grateful for the slight relief.

  ‘Thanks,’ he says, earning a nod from Lysander as they start back towards the castle.

  Lysander’s hand grasps his once again and there is momentary silence as they walk. Albus tries desperately not to think about his sweating palms or if the two sixth year Ravenclaws they pass notice. He only focuses on Lysander, this beautiful blond who Albus was scared to talk to for years. Now they are here, together.

  ‘She’ll come round,’ he says, interrupting Albus thoughts. It takes him a moment to realize Lysander is speaking about Thea.

  ‘I’m not sure she minds but I did sort of blow her off,’ he admits and Lysander shrugs.

  ‘She doesn’t seem like the kind of person to take that to heart,’ he says. ‘You know her better, obviously. But I’m sure she would give you space if you wanted it. The two of you are together so much, it only seems natural that things would become strained.’

  ‘It’s just,’ starts Albus, but he pauses when he thinks of her. He can imagine Thea, alone in her dorm, locking herself away with Magnus because he’s her only friend aside from Albus. ‘She’s my best friend.’

  ‘Well you’re far from the first best friends to have a row. Just let things settle down. I’m sure you two will be fine,’ says Lysander and Albus feels an ache in his heart. ‘Besides, if Albus Potter and Theodora Malfoy can’t survive a little arguement, I’m sure the entire school would descend into chaos from the unbalance.’

  He feels a lightness rise through him at Lysander’s statement. It’s true he and Thea have never really argued, not like this. The two are generally honest with one another and Thea doesn’t hold back her opinions when it comes to things that irritate her. But they’ve survived harder things, less trivial than a brief argument.

  They can survive this.

  But a slight twinge of guilt
rises in him when he thinks, perhaps, that he could stand a few days apart. That things between him and Lysander are in a place he wants to explore more and Thea’s constant presence has already started to put a damper on things.

  He’ll make up with her, of course. He’ll apologise to her, because that’s what Albus does. But for a brief moment, he allows himself this independence.

  A moment solely belonging to him.

  ROSE

  There is an undeniable autumnal feeling in the air that causes Rose to grin from ear to ear as she walks with Scorpius down the path to Hogsmeade. It’s the second trip to the village of the year and suddenly as she walks by his side she feels as though the season is passing too quickly.

  They are engrossed in conversation, so much so that she hardly notices that they’ve arrived. She’s always known he was smart, but getting to know Scorpius Malfoy and his mind has become one of her favorite pastimes. His mind spins with ideas and opinions that make her wonder and at times, these thoughts challenge her own mind to expand.

  Still, she chides herself when she is lost at the thought of his lips against hers and the desire to kiss him again makes her feel exceedingly foolish. The sense of wonder in his own eyes as she speaks passionately about her own opinions makes her think, perhaps, that he wants to kiss her too.

  But still they walk a fair distance apart and she hates that she flushes when she sees people staring back at them and whispering. Scorpius either doesn’t seem to notice or refuses to acknowledge the fact that people are talking about them because his sole focus is on her. His only embarrassment seems to be every time their fingers graze and he clears his throat anxiously.

  She doesn’t know where the courage comes from when she grabs his hand then, the opinion of the others be damned. Scorpius is flustered, but his smile tells Rose it was the right decision. She likes that he’s so flustered that he’s forgotten what he was saying as they approach the Three Broomsticks.

  Roxy stands outside, bundled in her scarlet and gold scarf and grinning ear to ear.

  ‘Well, it’s about time, you two,’ she says. ‘I thought we’d have to send out a search party.’

  ‘Head Boy duties,’ Scorpius says, apologetically.

  ‘That does put a damper on things, doesn’t it. Spending our night out with the Head Boy and all,’ Roxy replies and Rose sees Lorcan nudge her gently with his elbow. Rose’s eyes bulge as she silently tries to communicate to Roxy to be nice.

  ‘On the contrary,’ Scorpius says, clearing his throat. ‘I suspect having the Head Boy on your side would make things that much easier.’

  Roxy raises an eyebrow and Lorcan smirks in response.

  Rose squeezes Scorpius’ hand.

  ‘Shall we?’ Rose asks and they all nod, Lorcan holding the door open for each of them to pass.

  Spirits are high in throughout the pub. There is a great deal of laughter as many of the younger students experience the village for their first Hogsmeade outing. As usual, there is a large crowd of older students jostling for the bartender’s attention as they take the opportunity to partake in a few pints which they’re allotted.

  Hufflepuff House is cheering loudly, still celebrating their unlikely win against Slytherin earlier in the day and it is clear by the drinks in hand, the rejoicing is far from over.

  Roxy shoos away several third years from her favorite table while Lorcan gets her a butterbeer. Scorpius uses his undeniable noticeability to order her them both tonic waters as Rose sits down across from Roxy.

  ‘So this is a thing,’ Roxy asks, eyeing Scorpius curiously. A smirk appears on her lips. ‘I mean he’s definitely cute, I see the draw. But I am just surprised, I guess. Though maybe I shouldn’t be. He’s as big of a nerd as you are.’ Rose frowns. ‘I’m just picturing Uncle Ron’s face when he finds out.’

  ‘Roxy,’ Rose warns and her cousin laughs.

  ‘Oh, come on. You can’t keep it a secret forever. I mean are you a couple?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Rose answers honestly, looking back at Scorpius who holds the tonics in had as he chats with Lorcan, still waiting for his own order. ‘I think so, maybe? I mean, we haven’t exactly talked about it.’

  ‘Not much time for talking when you’re snogging, eh?’ she asks and Rose blushes furiously as she tries to suppress a smile. ‘I’m happy for you, I am. But I’m just thinking about the family and I would hate for you to experience any backlash. Think about Albus. He’s just friends with Thea Malfoy and look how hostile Sunday dinner can be when it gets brought up. If it comes up that you are dating Scorpius. I’m thinking you’re dad would lose his bloody mind.’

  ‘I don’t care,’ Rose says quickly, but she knows there is a slight tug as the words come out.

  Perhaps she does care. She can’t deny that her father still harbors unsavory views of the Malfoy family. He sees Rose as his pride and joy. She can’t imagine what he’d say or think if he knew how she felt about Scorpius. She so desperately wants to not care, as she’s just said to Roxy. She wants to be like Albus, who seems to take no mind in what anyone says about his relationship with Thea.

  She wonders if she could have the same courage.

  Noticing Rose’s anxiety, Roxy quickly changes the subject, nodding to the corner where James sits, Valerie Thomas’ hands toying with the collar of his jumper.

  ‘I thought they’d broken up?’ Roxy says. Rose furrows her brow curiously at the sight of James and Valerie, lips locked in the dimly lit booth. ‘And I could have sworn she was dating Preston.’

  ‘She is,’ Rose responds. ‘Or she was. As of yesterday.’

  ‘James has been acting weird all day,’ Roxy replies. ‘At the match he was hardly paying attention. And you know how he is when it comes to Quidditch. I don’t think he even scribbled one note in that silly little notebook of his.’

  Rose can’t help but agree as she attempts not to stare at the two of them and their very public display of affection. Lorcan and Scorpius must be talking about it as well, because both of them are glancing over at the couple as they walk over, drinks in hand.

  ‘The Potters sure seem to be in high spirits this weekend,’ Lorcan says, his eyebrows wiggling as he says so and even Scorpius chuckles at the insinuation.

  ‘Potters?’ Roxy says. ‘As in, plural?’

  ‘Before I met you in the courtyard, I saw Albus and my brother walking down the road hand in hand.’

  ‘Albus?’ Rose and Roxy asked at the same time.

  ‘And Lysander?’ Roxy adds and Lorcan nods.

  ‘Is this news?’ Scorpius asks and the three of them glance over at him in surprise. He lowers the glass of tonic from his lips in confusion. ‘I thought it was common knowledge that they were a bit of an item.’

  ‘You knew?’ Rose asks.

  ‘I’m not blind. I’ve seen the two together quite often since the start of term. I’m not one to take interest in such things but even I thought it was quite obvious,’ he says and they all stare at him with wide eyes.

  Roxy breaks the silence with a laugh.

  ‘Well, would you look at that. I’m thinking Albus will be receiving much less heat at the next family dinner,’ Roxy says and Rose kicks her lightly under the table. ‘Ow, what was that for?’

  ‘Why would he get less heat?’ Scorpius asks and there is an awkward silence at the table as he looks to Rose. When his expression changes, she can see that he understands. ‘Oh,’ he says and Rose shakes her head.

  ‘It’s just,’ she attempts, stuttering slightly as she tries to find the words.

  ‘Albus is very private about his personal life,’ Roxy fills for her. ‘The family is so nosey, myself included. I think they’ll all be quite relieved to finally have a little insight.’

  It’s a good deflection of the real reason for the family’s relief. It seems, as Scorpius clears his throat and excuses himself, that the reason is not lost on the others as well. Rose stands to follow as he walks towards the bar and grabs his hand gently. He doesn’t tu
rn as he slides easily through the ground but he doesn’t shake her off as he pulls her through the crowd of bodies to stand at his side.

  Whatever he orders from the bartender, with a silent gesture of his fingers, is not tonic.

  ‘Scorpius,’ she says and he looks down at her but his expression isn’t his usual charming grin.

  ‘It’s fine,’ he says, his tone stoney and she feels suddenly very embarrassed about the entire situation.

  He grabs the small shot glass of something clear and downs it, his eyes clenched.

  ‘I get it, Rose. Your family, they don’t like mine.’

  ‘It’s not like that���’

  ‘It is, though.’

  ‘It’s not you,’ she reminds him, her hand on his chest and he glances down at it. He places his hand over hers.

  ‘But it’s my sister,’ he says and her eyes fall from his piercing gaze. ‘And if they don’t like Albus being friends with her, why would they accept me?’

  ‘I don’t care what they think,’ she whispers, stepping closer but he shakes his head.

  ‘But I do,’ he tells her. ‘It’s easy for her. Theodora plays into the stereotype. She lets people buy the Malfoy bad girl persona because it’s easy. But I’m not that person. I can’t stand the way people look at me when I tell them I’m Draco Malfoy’s son. They don’t see me, how hard I work to be different, to be my own person. They only see the past.’

  ‘My family isn’t like that,’ she tells him although there is a slight pang of guilt as the words come out of her mouth.

  ‘Rose,’ he says, shaking his head. ‘I know you think that because you are standing here and I’m lucky that you look at me the way you do. But I’ve seen the way your father looks at mine. The way Harry Potter talks about my sister being a bad influence on Albus.’

  ‘If they’d just take the time to know her, to know you, I know they’d see the same things that I do,’ she insists, squeezing his hand. Fellow students stare again but she doesn’t care, this time she knows it’s true. ‘Please just be patient with them. Once they see how brilliant and kind you are, they won’t be able to see you as anything short of spectacular.’