Fic: Poker Face
Title: Poker Face
Summary: Albus is good at what he does.
Word Count: 3645
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Non-Magic AU
Prompts: Person: George Weasley; Place: casino; Object One: deck of cards; Object Two: poker chip; Food: cocktail; Emotion: greed; Song: Poker Face by Lady GaGa; Quote: Ocean's 11; Freeform: hitting the jackpot
Disclaimer: Not mine.
AN: When I saw the prompts this senario immediately popped into my head. I feel like there's so much more that I can do with this universe, so much untold story that I couldn't fit in this week. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it!
Poker Face
Albus was seven the last time he saw his uncle George.
His mum and dad wanted a night out and, though his mum complained, Uncle George was the only person in their huge family to volunteer. The rest of them mostly made excuses, though some flat out said that they couldn't handle Albus and James together. Albus didn't really understand why-it wasn't like they'd burned the garage down on purpose.
It was ok, though; Albus liked Uncle George. He was more fun than all of his other uncles put together (especially Uncle Percy, who always made them sit quietly and read boring books that didn't have any pictures or exciting stories). Uncle George would play pirates with Albus and James and have girly pink tea parties with Lily.
Most fun of all, though, was when Uncle George would teach Albus how to play card games. James thought it was too boring and Lily thought it was too confusing, but Albus felt a thrill of excitement at just the sound of the cards being shuffled or tapped together.
"Alright, Al," Uncle George said on that last night as he counted out cards to them both. James had gone to his room to read his newest comic book, and Lily was already in bed, so they sat together at the kitchen table. "Do you remember what I taught you last time?"
Albus nodded as he watched the cards land in front of him. "Always keep my face blank so that the other person can't tell what I'm thinking."
Uncle George grinned widely. "Exactly! Now, I'm going to teach you a new game, and I want you to try and do that the whole time we're playing, ok?"
"Ok. I've been practicing!" Albus said excitedly, and then very carefully relaxed his face.
Uncle George looked as excited as Albus felt. "That's brilliant, Al. You're a real natural at this."
Albus was thrilled that Uncle George was so happy with him, but only allowed himself to blink in response.
"Perfect," Uncle George said, grinning. "Oh, yes, you're ready for this game. Albus, I am going to teach you how to play something called poker."
For the next two hours Uncle George taught Albus all the rules of poker, and sometimes how to break those rules so that he could win anyway. Albus thought it was the best game ever, even if sometimes it was hard to understand. Uncle George was patient, though, and explained everything clearly. They became so caught up in playing that neither of them heard the car pull into the garage.
"What the hell?"
Albus jumped, and so did Uncle George, when his mum's voice interrupted their game.
"Ginny!" Uncle George said. "Harry. Um-,"
"Tell me, George," Mum said, and Albus's eyes widened; she was using the same voice she had used when he and James had accidently flooded their bathroom last week. "Tell me that you're not teaching my seven year old son to play poker?"
Uncle George hesitated. "I would, but-,"
"George Weasley!" Mum yelled.
"Come on, Al," Dad said quickly. "It's time for bed."
"But I'm not sleepy," Albus said, frowning.
"It's late," Dad said. "Go put on your pajamas and brush your teeth. I'll be up in a minute to tuck you in."
"But-," Albus tried one more time.
"Now, Albus," Dad said firmly.
Albus poked his bottom lip out but slid out of his chair and left the kitchen. He stopped outside the door, however, and placed his ear against the crack.
"What do you think you're doing, George?" Mum was saying. "He's seven."
"Relax, Gin, it was just a bit of fun," Uncle George said. "He enjoys it-and he's really good at it, too."
"That doesn't make it better," Mum said angrily. "In fact, that makes it worse!"
"How?" Uncle George asked. "He's got talent, he could really do something with it-,"
"Oh, I get it," Mum said; Albus wished she'd let Uncle George finish talking. "You're trying to turn him into one of your-your criminals!"
Albus wondered what a criminal was.
"No I'm not," Uncle George insisted quietly. "For God's sake, Ginny, he's only seven-,"
"Exactly!" Mum shouted. "And I don't want you around him anymore!"
Albus's eyes widened, and silence fell in the kitchen.
"Is that really necessary, Ginny?" Dad asked, his voice shocked.
"Yes," Mum said firmly. "George, you are no longer welcome in my home. I don't want you to contact my children in any way; I don't want you in their lives at all."
"You don't mean that, Gin-," Uncle George started, his voice pleading.
"Get out," Mum said. "Now."
Albus felt frozen in place; his mum wouldn't really make Uncle George go away, would she?
"Fine," Uncle George said quietly. "If that's what you really want."
"It is," Mum said.
"No!" Albus shouted, running into the kitchen and throwing his arms around Uncle George's waist. "You can't go! You can't!"
"Hey," Uncle George said softly, pulling Albus's arms away and crouching down in front of him, blue eyes shining and wet. "We have to do what your mum says, yeah?"
"But I don't want you to go," Albus said, his lip trembling.
"I don't want to go either," Uncle George said. "But it looks like neither one of us has a say about it."
"Can I come with you?" Albus whispered, wiping angrily at his eyes.
Uncle George shook his head, looking sad. "I'm sorry, Al, you have to stay here. But if you ever need me you'll be able to find me, ok?"
Albus took a deep, shuddering breath and nodded. "Ok."
"Give me a goodbye hug?" Uncle George asked, holding his arms open.
Albus threw his arms around Uncle George's neck and held on tightly; maybe if he held on tight enough Uncle George wouldn't leave.
"Don't forget what I've taught you, Al," Uncle George whispered into Albus's ear. "It will serve you good in life."
Albus nodded again, and then Uncle George was pulling away and standing up. Nobody said anything as he walked out the door, shutting it quietly behind him. Albus listened carefully, and heard the convertible Uncle George drove start up and then fade away. There were tears running down his face, but for once he didn't care that James would tease him for being a baby.
"I'm sorry, Al," Mum said, her voice soft.
She walked toward him and made to hug him, but Albus pulled away angrily.
"I hate you," he said clearly, and only felt slightly guilty when his mum's face fell.
"Don't say that, Albus," Dad said, but Mum shook her head.
"It's alright," she said, her arms dropping. "He's only a little boy; he doesn't really mean it."
"Yes I do," Albus insisted. "I hate you, and I will never forgive you."
And then he turned and ran out of the kitchen and upstairs to his room, slamming the door behind him.
~*~
Eleven years later
It had taken Albus over a year to find his uncle George, which, to be honest was a bit of an embarrassment considering how infamous the man was. But now, as he stood outside the door of the posh flat where his uncle lived, Albus felt that it was worth every minute of searching and dead ends. Taking a deep breath, Albus raised his shaking hand and knocked on the door.
Several eternal minutes later, the door was opened by a pretty girl about his age with light brown skin, dark hair, and familiar blue eyes.
"Roxanne?" Albus blurted, for some reason surprised that she was older than he remembered.
The girl blinked in confusion before recognition filled her eyes and she grinned. "Oh my god, Albus! Is that really you? Come on in, this is brilliant! Dad!"
Albus felt relief sweep through him as he stepped through the door of the flat, quickly shutting it behind him and following his cousin into the huge living room.
"Dad!" Roxanne called again. "Dad, guess who's here?"
"Is it the cops?" a voice Albus hadn't heard in way too long called back.
"Of course not," Roxanne answered, rolling her eyes but leaning close to ask quietly, "You're not a cop, are you?"
Albus couldn't help it; he started laughing. He was about as far from a cop as they were.
"Well who is it, then?" George asked as he walked through an arched doorway, his attention on a few papers in his hand.
"Take a wild guess," Albus said, still grinning.
George's head shot up, and when he saw Albus standing there he let out a delighted laugh and strode forward to give him a tight hug. "Al! God, it's been way too long. How are you?" He paused and pulled back, raising his eyebrow. "Does your mother know you're here?"
Albus snorted. "Hell no. The only thing anybody knows is that I'm taking an after-graduation trip."
George nodded. "Good. So how have you been? Roxanne, how about getting us some tea?"
Roxanne grimaced but headed in what Albus assumed was the direction of the kitchen. "How do you like yours, Al?"
"Just sugar," Albus answered and then turned back to his uncle. "I'm good."
"So how did you find me?" George asked, gesturing to one of the several comfortable looking armchairs.
Albus sank down into one and had to bite back a groan of pleasure. "Well, it wasn't easy."
George chuckled, sitting across from him. "It shouldn't have been; I've worked hard on hiding my whereabouts."
"Yeah," Albus agreed. "I kept having to drain my classmate's pockets for the money to search with. It's not easy constantly winning against the same people over and over, either; the smart ones tend to catch on. James and Lily quit playing against me years ago."
George laughed. "So I take it you took my advice to heart?"
Albus grinned. "Sure did. Drove Mum mental, but I really just considered that a bonus."
"So how long are you in town for?" George asked.
"Actually," Albus said, hesitating. "I'm done with school, and there's nothing for me back home. I was hoping maybe I could work for you."
George remained silent, considering him carefully; Albus purposely made his face blank and stared down his uncle in challenge.
Finally, George smiled and held out his hand. "Welcome to Poker Face."
~*~
One year after that
"Albus, you got a minute?"
George poked his head around the door to the office Albus had been given as a part of Poker Face's front as a respectable business that supplied casinos with their gaming equipment.
"Sure," Albus said, dropping his feet down from where they'd been propped up on his desk as he'd beat game after game of solitaire on his computer. "What's up?"
George talked as they headed down the hall toward the main office. "We've got a newbie. He's talented, but still green. He's about your age, so I thought he'd learn best from you."
"Alright," Albus said, following George into the room.
There was a blond man sitting in one of the seats in front of George's desk, staring out the floor to ceiling windows behind it. It was hard to see the man's face from this angle, but Albus had a feeling that he would be very, very attractive.
"Scorpius, this is who I was telling you about," George said, walking around his desk and taking his seat.
Albus dropped into the seat next to the blond-Scorpius, apparently-and was pleased to see that he was, in fact, quite sexy. He held out his hand and smiled. "Hullo. I'm Albus Potter, but you're welcome to call me Al."
Scorpius smiled back a bit hesitantly, but took Albus's hand and shook it. "Scorpius Malfoy."
Albus purposely held Scorpius's hand for just a second too long, and was pleased to see the slight blush that graced the other man's cheeks.
"Al here is our most talented player," George said. "After me, of course. He'll be teaching you how things work around here-starting tonight."
"Tonight?" Scorpius asked, sounding surprised.
"Why not?" Albus countered. "Got a hot date or something?"
Scorpius flushed. "No, I just didn't expect to start so soon."
"No time like the present," George said lightly, placing a small, rectangular piece of plastic on the desk in front of Scorpius. "Here's your ID. Completely undetectable as a fake; make sure you keep it separate from your real one."
"Bad things could happen if you don't," Albus added.
Scorpius nodded and picked up the ID, examining it closely before slipping it into his pocket. "So where are we headed?"
"Phoenix Club," Albus immediately said, and George nodded his agreement. "That's my favorite."
"Can't wait," Scorpius said, smiling excitedly.
Neither could Albus.
~*~
The Phoenix Club was a fun little casino near the main building of Poker Face. It was casual, but it was very, very hard to pull one over on the workers.
"Alright," Albus said quietly once they'd been let through the doors. "Listen closely, and don't forget because I'm not going to repeat myself. You look down, they know you're lying and up, they know you don't know the truth. Don't use seven words when four will do.
"Don't shift your weight, look always at your mark but don't stare, be specific but not memorable, be funny but don't make him laugh. He's got to like you then forget you the moment you've left his side. And for God's sake, whatever you do, don't, under any circumstances-,"
"Show uncertainty," Scorpius finished, smiling slightly.
Albus grinned. "Exactly. Now what would you like to play first?"
Scorpius looked around at all of the games going on, biting his lip in thought. "Roulette?"
Albus wrinkled his nose. "Maybe later. To be honest it's just not the same without a gun."
Scorpius raised his eyebrows in surprise but didn't comment. "Texas Hold 'Em?"
Albus grinned. "Now we're talking! And we're in luck; it looks like a game is about to start."
They headed for the poker table, and the girl behind it quickly dealt them in. Albus pulled out his fake Phoenix-style poker chips-George kept his players supplied with chips for the casinos they frequented-and grinned a bit daftly.
"This is going to be so much fun," Albus said in a fake-excited voice to Scorpius. "Don't you agree, love?" Scorpius blinked, but before he could react Albus turned to the man on his other side and stage whispered, "It's our two year anniversary; he promised to take me to a real casino as a gift, and here we are! Isn't he just a doll?"
The man smiled uncomfortably, and Albus knew instinctively that he would be an easy win. Under the table he kicked Scorpius's foot slightly, making the other man jump in surprise.
"Oh," Scorpius said, and then gave Albus a sweet smile. "Anything for you, love."
Albus gave him a bright, happy smile in return, but the glint in Scorpius's eye didn't go unnoticed; this was going to be more fun that Albus had thought.
~*~
Several hours later Albus was sitting at the casino's bar, enjoying a well-earned cocktail, when Scorpius appeared to take the seat next to him.
"Hullo, love!" Albus said brightly.
Scorpius rolled his eyes. "How many of those have you had?"
"Just a couple," Albus said mock-defensively.
"What is it, anyway?" Scorpius asked.
"It's called an Orgasm," Albus answered, grinning. "They're orgasmic."
"Right," Scorpius said, raising an eyebrow. He reached over and plucked Albus's glass from his hand and downed the rest of the drink. "Hey, that is pretty good."
"Told you," Albus said smugly. "So how much have you won?"
"Enough," Scorpius said casually. "Double."
Albus's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Greedy, aren't we?"
"No," Scorpius said. "Just good."
Albus laughed. "If you say so. I think we're done for the night, don't you?"
Scorpius nodded. "Yeah. Let's get out of here."
Outside the casino Albus hailed down a taxi. "So. Want to go back to mine?"
Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "We just met less than twenty-four hours ago."
"I know," Albus said with a grin. "But you're sexy and I'm always horny after hitting the jackpot."
Scorpius's lips twitched. "Alright then."
"So did you have fun tonight?" Albus asked once they'd climbed inside the taxi.
Scorpius grinned. "More than I'd had in a long time, actually."
"That's good," Albus said sincerely. "And George will be pleased, too. You might just give me some competition."
"Is that a problem?" Scorpius asked.
"Nah," Albus said. "I like a challenge."
"Then maybe I shouldn't be going home with you tonight," Scorpius said cheekily.
Albus grinned. "So why are you?"
Scorpius smirked. "You're sexy and I'm always horny after hitting the jackpot."
Albus laughed. "Good thing I don't live far."
The taxi was already slowing down, and soon stopped in front of a large, expensive looking building.
"This is where you live?" Scorpius asked, sounding a bit awed as they climbed out.
"I've been in this business for a year now," Albus said. "Luxury is a given."
Scorpius snorted, but followed Albus through the front doors and across the lobby to the elevator. Albus lived on a floor somewhere in the middle, so it didn't take long before they were stepping out into a hallway and heading for his flat.
"Do you want some tea or something?" Albus asked as he shut the door behind them.
Scorpius turned to him. "I thought we were here to fuck?"
Albus grinned wickedly. "Ok, then. Let's fuck."
And then he found himself slammed against the wall next to the door, Scorpius's mouth on his and his cock quickly hardening. He kissed him back fiercely, sliding his hands under Scorpius's shirt and running them up his chest. Scorpius moaned and then pulled away to yank his shirt off and throw it over his shoulder.
"You like it rough then?" Albus asked breathlessly as he removed his own shirt.
Scorpius's grin was feral. "If it's not rough it isn't fun."
Albus couldn't agree more, and reached out to grab Scorpius's hair, pulling him back into a searing kiss. Scorpius moaned and scraped his nails down Albus's back, making him shudder.
"Bedroom," Albus gasped out, releasing Scorpius's hair and grabbing his wrist to pull him along.
In the bedroom Scorpius glanced around at the dark green walls and the green and silver satin bed sheets. "You know, I expected red or black."
Albus shrugged, reaching for his fly. "I like green better."
"Me too, actually," Scorpius said, batting Albus's hands away and making quick work of the button and zipper.
Albus moaned as Scorpius fell to his knees, taking his jeans and underwear with him and swiping his tongue along Albus's hard cock. Albus hissed in pleasure but reached down and tugged on Scorpius's hair, pulling him back up.
"Maybe later," he said. "Right now, get your kit off."
Scorpius quickly obeyed, reaching for his own fly as Albus kicked off his jeans and strode to the bedside table. He opened the top drawer and pulled out a condom and a bottle of lube. "Top or bottom?"
Scorpius grinned. "Bottom," he said, and then crawled, naked, onto the bed, stopping toward the head and thrusting his arse into the air.
"Christ," Albus moaned, quickly climbing up behind him.
He ran a dry finger down Scorpius's crack before flipping open the bottle of lube and pouring some onto his fingers. Albus paused to admire the succulent sight in front of him, humming in appreciation and earning him a scorching look from Scorpius. He grinned and swiftly pressed two of his lubed fingers into Scorpius's tight arse.
"Ah!" Scorpius cried, pushing back onto Albus's fingers.
Albus pumped them in and out, spreading them and twisting his wrist a few times before pulling them back out and reaching for the condom. He quickly ripped it open and put it on, eager to be inside that incredible looking arse. Lining himself up, he gripped Scorpius's hip with one hand.
"Ready?" he asked.
Scorpius nodded. "Just fuck me already."
Albus chuckled breathlessly, and then pushed past the tight ring of muscle and all the way in to his balls in one long, slow stroke.
"Oh, god," Scorpius choked out. "So fucking good."
Albus waited a brief moment to let Scorpius adjust, and then began to pound into him. Scorpius cried out in pleasure, reaching out to grip the headboard in front of him. Albus's pace was relentless, and it soon became his goal to continue making Scorpius make those incredible sounds. Reaching around, Albus gripped Scorpius's cock pulled hard on it.
With a loud shout Scorpius came, hot liquid spilling over Albus's hand and onto the satin sheets below. The convulsions around Albus's cock quickly brought him to the edge, and with a few hard thrusts he was coming, his eyes rolling back in his head. When he finished he pulled out and removed the condom, tossing it in the trash can on the other side of the bed.
Albus collapsed on the bed beside Scorpius, who had slid down onto his stomach and didn't look like he wanted to move.
"Fucking hell," Albus said.
"Yeah," Scorpius agreed.
There was a brief pause as Albus argued with himself, but eventually the odd urge to ask Scorpius to stay won.
"You can stay if you want," he said casually. "I'll order scones from the bakery down the street for breakfast."
Scorpius considered him carefully, looking as though he was having the same argument Albus had had. "Alright," he finally said.
Albus nodded and closed his eyes, confused at the relief that spread through him. There was something about Scorpius that intrigued him, and he couldn't help but think that there was more to the other man than met the eye.
Summary: Albus is good at what he does.
Word Count: 3645
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Non-Magic AU
Prompts: Person: George Weasley; Place: casino; Object One: deck of cards; Object Two: poker chip; Food: cocktail; Emotion: greed; Song: Poker Face by Lady GaGa; Quote: Ocean's 11; Freeform: hitting the jackpot
Disclaimer: Not mine.
AN: When I saw the prompts this senario immediately popped into my head. I feel like there's so much more that I can do with this universe, so much untold story that I couldn't fit in this week. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it!
Poker Face
Albus was seven the last time he saw his uncle George.
His mum and dad wanted a night out and, though his mum complained, Uncle George was the only person in their huge family to volunteer. The rest of them mostly made excuses, though some flat out said that they couldn't handle Albus and James together. Albus didn't really understand why-it wasn't like they'd burned the garage down on purpose.
It was ok, though; Albus liked Uncle George. He was more fun than all of his other uncles put together (especially Uncle Percy, who always made them sit quietly and read boring books that didn't have any pictures or exciting stories). Uncle George would play pirates with Albus and James and have girly pink tea parties with Lily.
Most fun of all, though, was when Uncle George would teach Albus how to play card games. James thought it was too boring and Lily thought it was too confusing, but Albus felt a thrill of excitement at just the sound of the cards being shuffled or tapped together.
"Alright, Al," Uncle George said on that last night as he counted out cards to them both. James had gone to his room to read his newest comic book, and Lily was already in bed, so they sat together at the kitchen table. "Do you remember what I taught you last time?"
Albus nodded as he watched the cards land in front of him. "Always keep my face blank so that the other person can't tell what I'm thinking."
Uncle George grinned widely. "Exactly! Now, I'm going to teach you a new game, and I want you to try and do that the whole time we're playing, ok?"
"Ok. I've been practicing!" Albus said excitedly, and then very carefully relaxed his face.
Uncle George looked as excited as Albus felt. "That's brilliant, Al. You're a real natural at this."
Albus was thrilled that Uncle George was so happy with him, but only allowed himself to blink in response.
"Perfect," Uncle George said, grinning. "Oh, yes, you're ready for this game. Albus, I am going to teach you how to play something called poker."
For the next two hours Uncle George taught Albus all the rules of poker, and sometimes how to break those rules so that he could win anyway. Albus thought it was the best game ever, even if sometimes it was hard to understand. Uncle George was patient, though, and explained everything clearly. They became so caught up in playing that neither of them heard the car pull into the garage.
"What the hell?"
Albus jumped, and so did Uncle George, when his mum's voice interrupted their game.
"Ginny!" Uncle George said. "Harry. Um-,"
"Tell me, George," Mum said, and Albus's eyes widened; she was using the same voice she had used when he and James had accidently flooded their bathroom last week. "Tell me that you're not teaching my seven year old son to play poker?"
Uncle George hesitated. "I would, but-,"
"George Weasley!" Mum yelled.
"Come on, Al," Dad said quickly. "It's time for bed."
"But I'm not sleepy," Albus said, frowning.
"It's late," Dad said. "Go put on your pajamas and brush your teeth. I'll be up in a minute to tuck you in."
"But-," Albus tried one more time.
"Now, Albus," Dad said firmly.
Albus poked his bottom lip out but slid out of his chair and left the kitchen. He stopped outside the door, however, and placed his ear against the crack.
"What do you think you're doing, George?" Mum was saying. "He's seven."
"Relax, Gin, it was just a bit of fun," Uncle George said. "He enjoys it-and he's really good at it, too."
"That doesn't make it better," Mum said angrily. "In fact, that makes it worse!"
"How?" Uncle George asked. "He's got talent, he could really do something with it-,"
"Oh, I get it," Mum said; Albus wished she'd let Uncle George finish talking. "You're trying to turn him into one of your-your criminals!"
Albus wondered what a criminal was.
"No I'm not," Uncle George insisted quietly. "For God's sake, Ginny, he's only seven-,"
"Exactly!" Mum shouted. "And I don't want you around him anymore!"
Albus's eyes widened, and silence fell in the kitchen.
"Is that really necessary, Ginny?" Dad asked, his voice shocked.
"Yes," Mum said firmly. "George, you are no longer welcome in my home. I don't want you to contact my children in any way; I don't want you in their lives at all."
"You don't mean that, Gin-," Uncle George started, his voice pleading.
"Get out," Mum said. "Now."
Albus felt frozen in place; his mum wouldn't really make Uncle George go away, would she?
"Fine," Uncle George said quietly. "If that's what you really want."
"It is," Mum said.
"No!" Albus shouted, running into the kitchen and throwing his arms around Uncle George's waist. "You can't go! You can't!"
"Hey," Uncle George said softly, pulling Albus's arms away and crouching down in front of him, blue eyes shining and wet. "We have to do what your mum says, yeah?"
"But I don't want you to go," Albus said, his lip trembling.
"I don't want to go either," Uncle George said. "But it looks like neither one of us has a say about it."
"Can I come with you?" Albus whispered, wiping angrily at his eyes.
Uncle George shook his head, looking sad. "I'm sorry, Al, you have to stay here. But if you ever need me you'll be able to find me, ok?"
Albus took a deep, shuddering breath and nodded. "Ok."
"Give me a goodbye hug?" Uncle George asked, holding his arms open.
Albus threw his arms around Uncle George's neck and held on tightly; maybe if he held on tight enough Uncle George wouldn't leave.
"Don't forget what I've taught you, Al," Uncle George whispered into Albus's ear. "It will serve you good in life."
Albus nodded again, and then Uncle George was pulling away and standing up. Nobody said anything as he walked out the door, shutting it quietly behind him. Albus listened carefully, and heard the convertible Uncle George drove start up and then fade away. There were tears running down his face, but for once he didn't care that James would tease him for being a baby.
"I'm sorry, Al," Mum said, her voice soft.
She walked toward him and made to hug him, but Albus pulled away angrily.
"I hate you," he said clearly, and only felt slightly guilty when his mum's face fell.
"Don't say that, Albus," Dad said, but Mum shook her head.
"It's alright," she said, her arms dropping. "He's only a little boy; he doesn't really mean it."
"Yes I do," Albus insisted. "I hate you, and I will never forgive you."
And then he turned and ran out of the kitchen and upstairs to his room, slamming the door behind him.
~*~
Eleven years later
It had taken Albus over a year to find his uncle George, which, to be honest was a bit of an embarrassment considering how infamous the man was. But now, as he stood outside the door of the posh flat where his uncle lived, Albus felt that it was worth every minute of searching and dead ends. Taking a deep breath, Albus raised his shaking hand and knocked on the door.
Several eternal minutes later, the door was opened by a pretty girl about his age with light brown skin, dark hair, and familiar blue eyes.
"Roxanne?" Albus blurted, for some reason surprised that she was older than he remembered.
The girl blinked in confusion before recognition filled her eyes and she grinned. "Oh my god, Albus! Is that really you? Come on in, this is brilliant! Dad!"
Albus felt relief sweep through him as he stepped through the door of the flat, quickly shutting it behind him and following his cousin into the huge living room.
"Dad!" Roxanne called again. "Dad, guess who's here?"
"Is it the cops?" a voice Albus hadn't heard in way too long called back.
"Of course not," Roxanne answered, rolling her eyes but leaning close to ask quietly, "You're not a cop, are you?"
Albus couldn't help it; he started laughing. He was about as far from a cop as they were.
"Well who is it, then?" George asked as he walked through an arched doorway, his attention on a few papers in his hand.
"Take a wild guess," Albus said, still grinning.
George's head shot up, and when he saw Albus standing there he let out a delighted laugh and strode forward to give him a tight hug. "Al! God, it's been way too long. How are you?" He paused and pulled back, raising his eyebrow. "Does your mother know you're here?"
Albus snorted. "Hell no. The only thing anybody knows is that I'm taking an after-graduation trip."
George nodded. "Good. So how have you been? Roxanne, how about getting us some tea?"
Roxanne grimaced but headed in what Albus assumed was the direction of the kitchen. "How do you like yours, Al?"
"Just sugar," Albus answered and then turned back to his uncle. "I'm good."
"So how did you find me?" George asked, gesturing to one of the several comfortable looking armchairs.
Albus sank down into one and had to bite back a groan of pleasure. "Well, it wasn't easy."
George chuckled, sitting across from him. "It shouldn't have been; I've worked hard on hiding my whereabouts."
"Yeah," Albus agreed. "I kept having to drain my classmate's pockets for the money to search with. It's not easy constantly winning against the same people over and over, either; the smart ones tend to catch on. James and Lily quit playing against me years ago."
George laughed. "So I take it you took my advice to heart?"
Albus grinned. "Sure did. Drove Mum mental, but I really just considered that a bonus."
"So how long are you in town for?" George asked.
"Actually," Albus said, hesitating. "I'm done with school, and there's nothing for me back home. I was hoping maybe I could work for you."
George remained silent, considering him carefully; Albus purposely made his face blank and stared down his uncle in challenge.
Finally, George smiled and held out his hand. "Welcome to Poker Face."
~*~
One year after that
"Albus, you got a minute?"
George poked his head around the door to the office Albus had been given as a part of Poker Face's front as a respectable business that supplied casinos with their gaming equipment.
"Sure," Albus said, dropping his feet down from where they'd been propped up on his desk as he'd beat game after game of solitaire on his computer. "What's up?"
George talked as they headed down the hall toward the main office. "We've got a newbie. He's talented, but still green. He's about your age, so I thought he'd learn best from you."
"Alright," Albus said, following George into the room.
There was a blond man sitting in one of the seats in front of George's desk, staring out the floor to ceiling windows behind it. It was hard to see the man's face from this angle, but Albus had a feeling that he would be very, very attractive.
"Scorpius, this is who I was telling you about," George said, walking around his desk and taking his seat.
Albus dropped into the seat next to the blond-Scorpius, apparently-and was pleased to see that he was, in fact, quite sexy. He held out his hand and smiled. "Hullo. I'm Albus Potter, but you're welcome to call me Al."
Scorpius smiled back a bit hesitantly, but took Albus's hand and shook it. "Scorpius Malfoy."
Albus purposely held Scorpius's hand for just a second too long, and was pleased to see the slight blush that graced the other man's cheeks.
"Al here is our most talented player," George said. "After me, of course. He'll be teaching you how things work around here-starting tonight."
"Tonight?" Scorpius asked, sounding surprised.
"Why not?" Albus countered. "Got a hot date or something?"
Scorpius flushed. "No, I just didn't expect to start so soon."
"No time like the present," George said lightly, placing a small, rectangular piece of plastic on the desk in front of Scorpius. "Here's your ID. Completely undetectable as a fake; make sure you keep it separate from your real one."
"Bad things could happen if you don't," Albus added.
Scorpius nodded and picked up the ID, examining it closely before slipping it into his pocket. "So where are we headed?"
"Phoenix Club," Albus immediately said, and George nodded his agreement. "That's my favorite."
"Can't wait," Scorpius said, smiling excitedly.
Neither could Albus.
~*~
The Phoenix Club was a fun little casino near the main building of Poker Face. It was casual, but it was very, very hard to pull one over on the workers.
"Alright," Albus said quietly once they'd been let through the doors. "Listen closely, and don't forget because I'm not going to repeat myself. You look down, they know you're lying and up, they know you don't know the truth. Don't use seven words when four will do.
"Don't shift your weight, look always at your mark but don't stare, be specific but not memorable, be funny but don't make him laugh. He's got to like you then forget you the moment you've left his side. And for God's sake, whatever you do, don't, under any circumstances-,"
"Show uncertainty," Scorpius finished, smiling slightly.
Albus grinned. "Exactly. Now what would you like to play first?"
Scorpius looked around at all of the games going on, biting his lip in thought. "Roulette?"
Albus wrinkled his nose. "Maybe later. To be honest it's just not the same without a gun."
Scorpius raised his eyebrows in surprise but didn't comment. "Texas Hold 'Em?"
Albus grinned. "Now we're talking! And we're in luck; it looks like a game is about to start."
They headed for the poker table, and the girl behind it quickly dealt them in. Albus pulled out his fake Phoenix-style poker chips-George kept his players supplied with chips for the casinos they frequented-and grinned a bit daftly.
"This is going to be so much fun," Albus said in a fake-excited voice to Scorpius. "Don't you agree, love?" Scorpius blinked, but before he could react Albus turned to the man on his other side and stage whispered, "It's our two year anniversary; he promised to take me to a real casino as a gift, and here we are! Isn't he just a doll?"
The man smiled uncomfortably, and Albus knew instinctively that he would be an easy win. Under the table he kicked Scorpius's foot slightly, making the other man jump in surprise.
"Oh," Scorpius said, and then gave Albus a sweet smile. "Anything for you, love."
Albus gave him a bright, happy smile in return, but the glint in Scorpius's eye didn't go unnoticed; this was going to be more fun that Albus had thought.
~*~
Several hours later Albus was sitting at the casino's bar, enjoying a well-earned cocktail, when Scorpius appeared to take the seat next to him.
"Hullo, love!" Albus said brightly.
Scorpius rolled his eyes. "How many of those have you had?"
"Just a couple," Albus said mock-defensively.
"What is it, anyway?" Scorpius asked.
"It's called an Orgasm," Albus answered, grinning. "They're orgasmic."
"Right," Scorpius said, raising an eyebrow. He reached over and plucked Albus's glass from his hand and downed the rest of the drink. "Hey, that is pretty good."
"Told you," Albus said smugly. "So how much have you won?"
"Enough," Scorpius said casually. "Double."
Albus's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Greedy, aren't we?"
"No," Scorpius said. "Just good."
Albus laughed. "If you say so. I think we're done for the night, don't you?"
Scorpius nodded. "Yeah. Let's get out of here."
Outside the casino Albus hailed down a taxi. "So. Want to go back to mine?"
Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "We just met less than twenty-four hours ago."
"I know," Albus said with a grin. "But you're sexy and I'm always horny after hitting the jackpot."
Scorpius's lips twitched. "Alright then."
"So did you have fun tonight?" Albus asked once they'd climbed inside the taxi.
Scorpius grinned. "More than I'd had in a long time, actually."
"That's good," Albus said sincerely. "And George will be pleased, too. You might just give me some competition."
"Is that a problem?" Scorpius asked.
"Nah," Albus said. "I like a challenge."
"Then maybe I shouldn't be going home with you tonight," Scorpius said cheekily.
Albus grinned. "So why are you?"
Scorpius smirked. "You're sexy and I'm always horny after hitting the jackpot."
Albus laughed. "Good thing I don't live far."
The taxi was already slowing down, and soon stopped in front of a large, expensive looking building.
"This is where you live?" Scorpius asked, sounding a bit awed as they climbed out.
"I've been in this business for a year now," Albus said. "Luxury is a given."
Scorpius snorted, but followed Albus through the front doors and across the lobby to the elevator. Albus lived on a floor somewhere in the middle, so it didn't take long before they were stepping out into a hallway and heading for his flat.
"Do you want some tea or something?" Albus asked as he shut the door behind them.
Scorpius turned to him. "I thought we were here to fuck?"
Albus grinned wickedly. "Ok, then. Let's fuck."
And then he found himself slammed against the wall next to the door, Scorpius's mouth on his and his cock quickly hardening. He kissed him back fiercely, sliding his hands under Scorpius's shirt and running them up his chest. Scorpius moaned and then pulled away to yank his shirt off and throw it over his shoulder.
"You like it rough then?" Albus asked breathlessly as he removed his own shirt.
Scorpius's grin was feral. "If it's not rough it isn't fun."
Albus couldn't agree more, and reached out to grab Scorpius's hair, pulling him back into a searing kiss. Scorpius moaned and scraped his nails down Albus's back, making him shudder.
"Bedroom," Albus gasped out, releasing Scorpius's hair and grabbing his wrist to pull him along.
In the bedroom Scorpius glanced around at the dark green walls and the green and silver satin bed sheets. "You know, I expected red or black."
Albus shrugged, reaching for his fly. "I like green better."
"Me too, actually," Scorpius said, batting Albus's hands away and making quick work of the button and zipper.
Albus moaned as Scorpius fell to his knees, taking his jeans and underwear with him and swiping his tongue along Albus's hard cock. Albus hissed in pleasure but reached down and tugged on Scorpius's hair, pulling him back up.
"Maybe later," he said. "Right now, get your kit off."
Scorpius quickly obeyed, reaching for his own fly as Albus kicked off his jeans and strode to the bedside table. He opened the top drawer and pulled out a condom and a bottle of lube. "Top or bottom?"
Scorpius grinned. "Bottom," he said, and then crawled, naked, onto the bed, stopping toward the head and thrusting his arse into the air.
"Christ," Albus moaned, quickly climbing up behind him.
He ran a dry finger down Scorpius's crack before flipping open the bottle of lube and pouring some onto his fingers. Albus paused to admire the succulent sight in front of him, humming in appreciation and earning him a scorching look from Scorpius. He grinned and swiftly pressed two of his lubed fingers into Scorpius's tight arse.
"Ah!" Scorpius cried, pushing back onto Albus's fingers.
Albus pumped them in and out, spreading them and twisting his wrist a few times before pulling them back out and reaching for the condom. He quickly ripped it open and put it on, eager to be inside that incredible looking arse. Lining himself up, he gripped Scorpius's hip with one hand.
"Ready?" he asked.
Scorpius nodded. "Just fuck me already."
Albus chuckled breathlessly, and then pushed past the tight ring of muscle and all the way in to his balls in one long, slow stroke.
"Oh, god," Scorpius choked out. "So fucking good."
Albus waited a brief moment to let Scorpius adjust, and then began to pound into him. Scorpius cried out in pleasure, reaching out to grip the headboard in front of him. Albus's pace was relentless, and it soon became his goal to continue making Scorpius make those incredible sounds. Reaching around, Albus gripped Scorpius's cock pulled hard on it.
With a loud shout Scorpius came, hot liquid spilling over Albus's hand and onto the satin sheets below. The convulsions around Albus's cock quickly brought him to the edge, and with a few hard thrusts he was coming, his eyes rolling back in his head. When he finished he pulled out and removed the condom, tossing it in the trash can on the other side of the bed.
Albus collapsed on the bed beside Scorpius, who had slid down onto his stomach and didn't look like he wanted to move.
"Fucking hell," Albus said.
"Yeah," Scorpius agreed.
There was a brief pause as Albus argued with himself, but eventually the odd urge to ask Scorpius to stay won.
"You can stay if you want," he said casually. "I'll order scones from the bakery down the street for breakfast."
Scorpius considered him carefully, looking as though he was having the same argument Albus had had. "Alright," he finally said.
Albus nodded and closed his eyes, confused at the relief that spread through him. There was something about Scorpius that intrigued him, and he couldn't help but think that there was more to the other man than met the eye.