Drabble - Scorpius and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day… Maybe

[byaghro]

Title: Scorpius and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day… Maybe
Author: byaghro
Word Count: 299
Pairing: AS/S
Rating: G
Warnings: Cavities.
Prompts: Genre/Cliché: Pre-Hogwarts Word: Wise or wiser or wisdom
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Author's notes: (1) Written for ass_ldws Round 1 Week 5
(2) Beta-ed by dysonrules
(3) Title taken from the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
(4) Oh holy cow! I has TWO banners. *faints*
Summary: Scorpius is having a bad day. Al isn't doing so hot either. A chance encounter, and dessert, may fix this.

Scorpius poked at his ice cream and swung his feet, kicking at the foot rail in front of him. The witch behind the counter glared, but he didn't care. He wasn't even supposed to be here. It was his birthday and his father had made grand promises; only to have everything canceled when he was called away on business. Now, instead of sitting in Paris eating crepes, he was sitting in Fortescue's eating bland ice cream and being watched by a nervous house-elf. He was eight now. Practically a Hogwarts student. He didn't need a babysitter.

The bell over the door chimed and a raucous group of children tumbled inside. The tallest boy fished several Galleons out of his pocket. "Three single scoops of chocolate and one double strawberry ripple, please."

The girl beside him said, "Wait, there's five of us, James."

James glared at one of his companions, the only one who didn't have red hair. "Tattletales don't get ice cream. Do they, Albus?"

The boy, Albus, glared back, but Scorpius could tell he was trying not to cry.

The others got their ice cream and moved to a table while Albus stood staring at them, fists clenched at his sides.

In a burst of generosity, Scorpius called to the witch behind the counter. "One Knickerbocker Glory for my friend," he said loudly, pointing at the other boy.

Albus gaped at him, but Scorpius motioned toward the stool beside him. When Albus was seated, Scorpius held out his hand. "I'm Scorpius."

"Al," the other boy said quietly, staring at the ice cream confection he'd been served.

Scorpius leaned over as if he were about to impart a piece of great wisdom. "Your friend is a berk."

Al grinned, whipped cream already on his nose. "You have no idea."