Painful Secrets

“Albus, please! I’ve had this bed three years in a row! Trade with me… please?” Scorpius whined to Albus in the Ravenclaw common room. He put on his best pouty lips and saddest pair of big grey eyes. In the three years they had been best friends Scorpius learned that no matter what he wanted, Albus could not refuse his pouty face.

“Alright fine, just because I can’t stand that stupid face you make.” Albus replied smiling.

Scorpius threw his cloak down on his new bed and lay across it in a show of victory, all the while smiling broadly at Albus. “It’s nice to be back. I missed the library soo much!” Albus laughed knowing that the library was not most people’s favorite thing about Hogwarts. Others, like James, would say Quidditch is what they missed most. Not his best mate, not Scorpius who had been buried in piles of books since the first year.

“I think I missed seeing you correct our professors the most over the summer.” Albus said sitting next to Scorpius. Even as he said it, Albus recognized it was a lie. Even though seeing their ancient ruins teacher get flustered by one of Scorpius’ many corrections, it was not what he had missed most over the summer.

“Yeah.” Scorpius replied fondly. “Mr. Malfoy how dare you prevent me from teaching the class the correct material.” He said in his best impression of Professor Snell. A large grin came over his face again as he swept his hand through his hair. “Al? You okay? Your staring at me? Do I have something on my face?”

“Whoa, hu?” Albus mumbled coming out of his trance like state. He was startled that he was staring open mouthed at his best mate. He seemed to not be able to help himself, Scorpius looked changed, more mature, more striking.

Perhaps it was just the fact that they had not seen each other all summer. Albus, even after three years of friendship, did not consider his family ready to meet Scorpius in person. Rose and Lily had already made friends with Scorpius of course, but it was his parent’s reaction, and James poor attitude on the matter that kept any whim of summer visits at bay.

“I hope its an easy year. I just feel like relaxing.” Said Scorpius standing up to change into pajamas “But something is telling me that new potions teacher is going to be extreme.” Albus had his eyes glued to Scorpius as he unzipped his pants. “Al?” he asked looking up. Albus looked away quickly.

“Yeah. Well I don’t think anyone could be worse than Professor Honkus. I’m so glad he is gone.” Albus barely had the ability the complete his sentence as Scorpius unbuttoned and removed his shirt. It seemed that summer had given Scorpius both a new maturity and a muscular torso. The blond looked up again and this time Albus did not have the speed to look away.

“Albus.” Scorpius said giving him a peculiar look and then a smile that almost robbed him of breath. “I think you should get some rest. Its been a long day and you are acting strange.” Albus simply nodded.

“Good night mate.” He said getting into bed.

Albus slowly changed into his pajamas. By the time he lie in bed for the night, Scorpius was already asleep. Albus turned over on his side and watched his best friend sleeping peacefully. His face looked like that of an angel, his skin soft and supple, the light blond hair draped artistically over his pillow and face.

Albus was not certain if he liked seeing Scorpius like this. Admiring his best friend seemed wrong, and it had not been until the morning when he had seen Scorpius at the platform did he realize how attractive he was. Perhaps it was just the fact that he had not seen his best friend all summer and was simply overjoyed at their reunion. Albus had never considered himself gay, he liked being around his female friends and supposed that they too were attractive. Besides the only reason he never dated was that he was always too busy to have a girlfriend. But he always had time for Scorpius…

He tossed to his side, away from Scorpius, and closed his eyes. Maybe all he needed was some sleep and the unexplainable attraction would be gone by morning.

Albus went to sleep uncertain about many things except for one: Scorpius Malfoy was his best friend, and the summer had made him beautiful.