[LOG] Getting off the train
Nov. 11th, 2007 02:25 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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ass_teaWhere: King's Cross Station, Platform 9 3/4
When: The first day of Christmas holidays (late December), 2021 (fifth year)
Alby didn't think he'd stopped grinning all afternoon. He sat with one side pressed to the window side of their compartment, the other side kept comfortably warm by Scorpius; their fingers were intertwined as they stretched out across the seat. Alex and Joe took up the bench on the other side - they'd grown mostly accustomed to Scorp and Alby's (usually tactful) displays of affection, and Alby and Scorp didn't hide them much in front of their dormmates anymore. Or their housemates, really - but then, ever since they'd started using the Chamber of Snogs for their more... intimate study sessions, things had gone much better all around, Alby thought.
He'd firmly put all thoughts of the fact that when the train pulled into King's Cross Station he'd have to part with Scorp for the holidays. He'd also have to face his parents, which was also not high on his list of things he'd like to do, even after the short letter they'd sent him after James and Lily had both written home less than a day after he and Scorp had gotten together. His mother and father seemed all right with the situation on paper, but there was still the possibility he was going to get an earful from, if not them, at least one of his other family members. Uncle Ron had never been too fond of the Malfoys, and Alby was worried what Grandma Molly would say when she found out he was gay. But all of that would come later, and Alby had tried to stick by the creed that there was no point in worrying about things he couldn't control. Even if he did still worry, a little.
As the day wore on and the scenery outside the window changed, though, he grew a bit more thoughtful. He had a plan that he'd been hatching for a few weeks now, and it was going to be time to put it into motion soon enough. He'd rehearsed what he was going to say and how he was going to say it, and now all that was left was finding the right moment. Snuggling back down between the darkening window and Scorp, Alby hoped it would go off as well as he'd planned.
When: The first day of Christmas holidays (late December), 2021 (fifth year)
Alby didn't think he'd stopped grinning all afternoon. He sat with one side pressed to the window side of their compartment, the other side kept comfortably warm by Scorpius; their fingers were intertwined as they stretched out across the seat. Alex and Joe took up the bench on the other side - they'd grown mostly accustomed to Scorp and Alby's (usually tactful) displays of affection, and Alby and Scorp didn't hide them much in front of their dormmates anymore. Or their housemates, really - but then, ever since they'd started using the Chamber of Snogs for their more... intimate study sessions, things had gone much better all around, Alby thought.
He'd firmly put all thoughts of the fact that when the train pulled into King's Cross Station he'd have to part with Scorp for the holidays. He'd also have to face his parents, which was also not high on his list of things he'd like to do, even after the short letter they'd sent him after James and Lily had both written home less than a day after he and Scorp had gotten together. His mother and father seemed all right with the situation on paper, but there was still the possibility he was going to get an earful from, if not them, at least one of his other family members. Uncle Ron had never been too fond of the Malfoys, and Alby was worried what Grandma Molly would say when she found out he was gay. But all of that would come later, and Alby had tried to stick by the creed that there was no point in worrying about things he couldn't control. Even if he did still worry, a little.
As the day wore on and the scenery outside the window changed, though, he grew a bit more thoughtful. He had a plan that he'd been hatching for a few weeks now, and it was going to be time to put it into motion soon enough. He'd rehearsed what he was going to say and how he was going to say it, and now all that was left was finding the right moment. Snuggling back down between the darkening window and Scorp, Alby hoped it would go off as well as he'd planned.
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Date: 2007-11-12 03:26 am (UTC)But he had to do this, he told himself, especially if he wanted to be able to put his plan into action. He nodded, swallowing, and tried to run a hand through his hair to make it more presentable, as though such a thing were possible. He glanced over at Scorp, taking direction from his boyfriend's gentle nudges as he looked around and saw a man who could only be Draco Malfoy. Beside him was a smaller Chinese woman who must be Scorp's mum.
As they neared, Alby realized he'd never seen Scorp's parents up close before, and realized that Scorpius was very nearly the spitting image of his father, down to the shape of his face, though his eyes must've come from his mother. He tried not to stare, instead falling a step or two behind Scorpius, so the other could introduce them while Alby worked out something to say that would be nice and polite and not rude. He hoped he didn't look too terrified, at least.
[OOC: Okay, that works~ XD Totally understandable, hehe!]
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Date: 2007-11-12 03:59 am (UTC)"Xiaorui!" Scorpius's mother exclaimed, wrapping him up in a large hug and kissing him warmly on each cheek. "I've missed you! How was school?"
Scorpius put on a smile, trying not to appear too nervous though he did notice that his father had an expression on his face that was more sour than usual. Scorpius hoped he'd just gotten up on the wrong side of the bed that morning, though he wasn't going to bet on it.
"Great, Mum," Scorpius replied, his usual answer to his mother's how-was-school question.
Then his father approached and Scorpius's smile grew a bit tighter. "Hi Dad," he said, nervously hugging his father.
"Your mother and I have missed you very much," Scorpius's father said, looking a little distracted by the figure that was standing a few paces away from them.
"Are you going to introduce us to your little friend?" Ora asked, beating him to the punch. She'd called Alby 'little' even though he was a few inches taller than her.
"Um," Scorpius coughed, "yeah." He motioned for Alby to come closer. "Uh, Mum, Dad, this is Albus Potter. My boyfriend."
"Oh, aren't you cute!" Scorpius's mum exclaimed, and Scorpius tried not to roll his eyes and tell his mother how embarrassing it was for her to call his boyfriend 'cute.' Sure, Alby was cute, but it was his job to tell him that! Not his mum's! Well, at least she approved.
"Nice to meet you!" Ora said, taking Alby's hand and pulling him into a polite hug. "I hope Xiaorui hasn't been too busy studying to pay attention to you."
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Date: 2007-11-12 04:38 am (UTC)After a moment, Scorp motioned to Alby, and he took a few steps, coming up to stand before Scorp's parents, keeping his gaze to one that was respectful, instead of staring like a cornered animal. He nodded to the two of them as Scorp introduced him; he was a bit surprised as Scorp's mum exclaimed about how cute he was and pulled him gently into a hug. Despite his worry, a small smile slipped onto Alby's face as she released him, and he ducked his head again. "No, um, he's very good at managing his time," was all he could offer for a moment, hoping that had sounded all right.
He glanced up fully at both of them. "It's... it's nice to finally meet you," he said - which, in the case of Scorp's mum, at least, was certainly true. Draco was still looking at him with an opaque gaze, and Alby couldn't tell what he was thinking at all. He seemed the complete opposite of Alby's dad, who couldn't hide his feelings for all the world. Maybe that was part of what made them so different.
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Date: 2007-11-12 05:13 am (UTC)"Well, I'm glad he's not neglecting you," Scorpius's mum said with a smile. She took Alby's hand again, and still smiling, looked at her husband. Scorpius had no idea how his mother could smile and simultaneously be glaring daggers at his father, but his mother managed it rather well.
His father almost looked like he'd been slapped across the face as he took a step forward and offer his hand to Alby. Scorpius stared at his dad, praying that he wouldn't try anything that would ruin his relationship forever.
"Draco Malfoy," his father said stiffly. "Pleasure to meet you."
Scorpius thought he'd never heard his dad sound as insincere as he did just then. Feeling like it was a good time to intervene, he stepped beside Alby and slung an arm around Alby's waist, doing his best to make it seem natural and not a desperate gesture to make his boyfriend and his father feel more comfortable. He had the feeling he might feeling like Alby in a few minutes if the Potters managed to make their way over.
His father took a step back and glanced at his mother, who rolled her eyes ever so slightly skyward. She turned back to the boys. "If you'd like to visit Xiaorui over the holidays, you're always welcome at the Manor."
For a moment Scorpius's father looked like he was going to protest, and then shut his mouth. "Of course," he said, his voice tight, "I'm sure Scorpius would love a visit over the holidays."
[OOC: XD Oh my god, this is so awkward! *laughs* I think Draco is just as scared as Alby is, but just not showing it. :3 Let's torture him more by having the Potters find them in the crowd? :D]
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Date: 2007-11-12 05:47 am (UTC)Scorp's arm around his waist made him feel a lot better; Draco had dropped his hand, and Alby just stood, leaning close to Scorp, and looked up at the tall blonde figure before him. Then Scorp's mother mentioned a visit, and Alby blinked, turning to her.
"Really? Y-yeah, I'd love to -"
Of course, that would probably depend, he thought. On whether Scorp's dad would actually allow it, because he was looking rather like he didn't want to. Just as he said something stiffly that seemed to translate into assenting, Alby heard his mother's voice through the crowd.
"Albus, there you are!" she was calling; he turned to see her approaching, followed by Lily, then James, and then... Dad. Who was looking a bit blank, all things considered, though there was an undercurrent of worry as he saw his father's gaze go from himself to Scorp, and then to Scorp's parents. He and Scorp's dad locked eyes, and he saw his father's gaze harden before he looked away.
His family pulled up short, staying behind Alby and Scorp, a clearing forming with him and his boyfriend in the middle, and the Malfoys and the Potters on either side. Alby's mum looked from her husband to the Malfoys, and then down to Scorp, who still had his arm around Alby's waist. "You must be Scorpius, then," she said, her voice only a little tight to Alby's ears. He nodded, turning them around a bit, so at least he could face his own family and introduce his boyfriend properly.
"Yeah, this is Scorpius," he said, his boyfriend's full name sounding strange on his tongue. He hadn't used it in years. "Uh, Scorp, this is my mum and dad..."
Alby's dad stepped up beside his wife, looking at Scorp with an expression that did little to hide the fact that he still wasn't sure how to deal with him, but he offered a small smile and his hand. "It's nice to meet you," he said, and though it might've sounded a little forced, it also sounded genuine.
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Date: 2007-11-12 06:20 am (UTC)This was the first time Scorpius had seen the famous Harry Potter in person so close, and he had to admit that Alby had some very conspicuous traits in common with his father. His eyes and hair, for one, and the general shape of his face, though the freckles had obviously come from his mother's side of the family. Scorpius followed Harry Potter's gaze to his father, watching him stiffen and glance away when their eyes met. Scorpius detected a flicker of something--dislike? Hatred? Resentment?--in his father's stare. So it was really true, the rivalry between the Potter and the Malfoy family going all the way back to when his and Alby's fathers had first met at the beginning of school. It seemed rather silly for them to carry a grudge against each other well into their adult years, but Scorpius was smarter than to say anything to his father about it.
Scorpius nodded politely to Alby's mother when she noticed him, hoping that his parents weren't going to hate him right off the bat for things his father did in his younger days. Scorpius stepped forward smoothly, trying to be on his best behavior.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter," Scorpius said seriously. Harry Potter's expression was a little blank, a little forced, but his smile seemed real and his voice put Scorpius a little more at ease. He was sure glad that Alby's older brother didn't seem to take after his father. Scorpius looked down at Alby. "Alby's told me a lot about you," he said, giving Alby's shoulder a shake but still feeling like he was uncomfortably sandwiched between the two families and forced to take sides. "And I've heard all the stories from Dad and Mum..."
Scorpius stopped, a hand almost flying to his mouth. Shit, he cursed silently. That came out the wrong way, because he didn't mean for it to sound so... so... Oh, bollocks.
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Date: 2007-11-12 06:57 am (UTC)James looked like he was trying to hide a snicker, and Alby turned his glare to him, almost afraid to look up at his father. But then his mother let out something that might have been a little laugh, and his gaze turned back to her as she nodded, a bit of a wry grin beginning to take form across her lips. "I'm sure they had a lot of stories," she said, glancing up at Scorp's parents, but there was no real scorn there. It was almost as though she were acknowledging silently that while the families might not get along, they might be more similar than they'd thought. Alby nearly sagged with relief against Scorp, risking a glance up at his dad. Dad was looking over at Mum, his expression somewhat relieved that she'd been able to diffuse the situation.
Of course, there was another situation that was about to arise, Alby thought, as he decided that now might actually be the best time to pose his question. He straightened and cleared his throat, calling the attention of his parents once more.
"U-um, you know, I was meaning to ask. I... I think we should have the Malfoys over for dinner - you know, you always invite a lot of other people over for the holidays, Scorp and his family should come..."
It probably wasn't the best plan in the world, suggesting something like that outright - in fact, it might be a very bad idea, considering how awkward things were now. But Alby had decided that things only had to be awkward if their families made them awkward. And he was planning on spending a lot of time with Scorp from now on. Maybe for good, who knew? And if it really might be that way, then they had to get their families talking. He didn't want to alienate himself from his family just because of who he liked, and he was sure Scorp felt the same way.
He glanced up to see that his mother was looking at him, her expression still wry, but laced with surprise that Alby had mentioned something like that outright. And his father... he'd looked almost horrified for a split second, before the corners of his mouth curled up and he got that look that said he knew exactly what his son was up to.
"You think so, Albus?" he asked; his tone said that while he admired his son for suggesting something like that, he wasn't sure Alby had exactly thought this through. Which, really, was the truth.
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Date: 2007-11-12 07:27 am (UTC)But Alby's mother just laughed, and then his mother laughed too. Scorpius sighed in relief, mentally thanking Alby's mother for handling the situation rather well. His father wasn't laughing, but he did have a strained smile on his face, which meant that things weren't as awkward for him as they certainly could be.
Scorpius raised his eyebrows as Alby suggested that his family get invited over to the Potter's for Christmas. Scorpius gaped, but shut his mouth quickly. He looked at his father who suddenly looked at Alby as if he'd thrown all his clothes off and done a dance, naked. His mother only nodded and looked mildly surprised. After the shock that Alby had suggested something in front of both families set in, a small smile crossed Scorpius's face, and he squeezed Alby a little tighter.
It was a brilliant plan really, if not the most tactful. The Potters couldn't refuse in front of the Malfoys, so they had to accept Alby's suggestion. Which, thankfully, did not seem so odious to them as it initially might have. Maybe it would help patch things up between their two families. Scorpius looked to his mum and dad, especially his dad, who was trying valiantly not to look like a fish out of water.
"Well, we wouldn't want to be trouble," Scorpius's mum said quickly, looking at Alby with a new respect in her eyes.
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Date: 2007-11-12 07:49 am (UTC)Finally, Mum looked up to the Malfoys. "Really," she said, her tone much more sure, "you wouldn't. If... you'd be willing to consider it. I imagine Albus and Scorpius might like to see each other over the holidays." Maybe their families wouldn't, but Alby felt proud that his was willing to try. Even if James was looking like he'd rather be anyone's brother right now rather than Alby's. Lily was giggling behind one hand, though she kept glancing up at Draco Malfoy as though she was afraid he might transform into a giant snake at any moment and attack Alby.
Dad was another story. His gaze had wandered back to Draco as well, but his features were, for once, hard to read behind his spectacles. He looked resolute, Alby thought. Or at least he hoped so.
"Yes," Alby finally piped up. "Yes, I would like to see Scorpius over holidays." There - now there was no backing down, he thought, his grin widening just a bit. He turned to Scorp. "I guess I'll see you soon, then," he said, wishing he could make everyone look away so they could have a few more moments alone together, even if that wasn't exactly going to happen. They'd have plenty of time together now, he thought, his mind already beginning to envision the Malfoys' visit. He could show Scorp his room... and if he stayed over, they could even share his bed...
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Date: 2007-11-12 08:12 am (UTC)"We'd love to come if you'll have us," Ora said, glancing at her husband. "Wouldn't we, Draco?"
"Absolutely," Scorpius's father replied after a short pause, his voice sounding a bit like he had a lump in his throat.
"Just as long as we're not in the way," Scorpius's mum said, but Alby's mother replied assured them that they wouldn't. "And I'm sure," she continued, "Scorpius would love to see Albus too."
Grinning, Scorpius nodded. Well, things hadn't gone as badly as he'd expected, though there was still the rest of the holidays at home at the Manor to consider. The dinner at the Potters might well be a welcome escape, depending on how things went over with Grandpa Lucius.
Scorpius was a bit reluctant to let Alby go, he didn't want to think of how different it would be not to have Alby climbing into his bed every night for the next couple of weeks. But he still smiled when Alby turned to him, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend's shoulders. "Yeah," Scorpius said, "I'll see you soon." He buried his nose into Alby's neck and breathed deeply, recalling his boyfriend's scent. It was going to be a few long days until he'd be able to see Alby again.
"I'll miss you," Scorpius said, as they pulled apart a little, his hand lingering on the back of Alby's neck. Bravely he leaned forward and planted a short, chaste kiss on Alby's lips, oblivious to the looks on the faces of family members on either side. "Owl me, okay?"
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Date: 2007-11-12 10:04 pm (UTC)It was a good compromise, Alby thought - it might not be the same as having Scorp to snuggle up against every night, but it was better than spending the entire vacation without him. Maybe under the same roof Scorp and James might even learn to tolerate each other a bit more - detenion together could only do so much, and while Alby was really just glad there'd been no more fights, he still wished James would stop being such a prick about the whole situation. Maybe with Mum and Dad on his side, Alby would be able to convince him...
If Mum and Dad were really on his side, Alby thought - though after the past few minutes, he was beginning to think they really were. He grinned over at Scorp as the other said they'd see each other soon. "Yeah," Alby echoed, finding that his arms slipped around Scorp's waist easily as the other buried his face against Alby's neck for a moment, before pulling away - only to lean forward and kiss him swiftly on the lips.
Alby blinked - well, he supposed that was one way to get their families used to it. He broke into a grin, even as he felt himself flush slightly, concentrating on looking into Scorp's eyes and not at any of their family members around them. "Yeah - I will. I will as soon as we have a date!" he said, before squeezing Scorp's waist and hurrying over to his family, beelining for Lily, because she seemed the least affected of the Potters, grinning and giggling and turning with Alby to head out of King's Cross, with the rest of the Potters trailing silently after.
[OOC: And I think we're pretty close to an ending, if not there already? YAY nobody died! XD]
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Date: 2007-11-12 11:17 pm (UTC)"Hm," Scorpius's father said, a rather non-committal grunt his son couldn't read. Draco moved to help his son with his luggage, and Scorpius did his best to avoid his father's gaze by gravitating towards his mother, and staying silent as his parents conversed in quiet tones in Chinese.
"Albus certainly seems like a charming boy," Scorpius's mum said. "Very clever, too."
"You didn't have to accept the invitation," Draco said, a slight frown to his lips as he looked at his wife.
"Of course I did! I don't think he really left us with a choice," Ora replied, her voice tinged with amusement. She patted Scorpius on the arm. "I can certainly see why you like him."
"Uh, thanks, Mum," Scorpius said uncertainly, looking at his father as well for approval.
"Well," Draco said after a moment's pause as his family found a clear area on the platform where they could Apparate back to the Manor. "It will be interesting to dine with the Potters for the first time." He put a hand on his son's shoulders and looked at him every severely. Scorpius felt himself gulp.
"And you and that Albus Potter seem rather well-suited to each other."
Scorpius beamed, breaking out into a smile. "Thanks, Dad."
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Date: 2007-11-12 11:50 pm (UTC)So...let's say that the Malfoys Apparate into the street in Godric's Hollow they live on, and the party kicks off with a bit of a pre-dinner mixer sort of atmosphere? Some snacks and drinking before dinner?
So it'll be Malfoys, Potters, and Alison's branch of the Weasleys? :D]
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Date: 2007-11-12 11:52 pm (UTC)Sounds like a plan to me! I think they'd definitely invite Alison, George, and Freddy, to at least kind of mediate. XD; I suppose that's as close to being in the middle as you can be!]
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