Fic: 'Glitches and Snitches' AS/S PG13
Title: Glitches and Snitches
Author: softly_sweetly
Beta: alexis_sd
Characters/Pairing: Albus Severus/Scorpius, cameos from any and all
Length: ~1,500
Rating: PG13 for now
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are the property of J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this piece of fanfiction.
Warnings: A little swearing
Summary: Al has a glittering Quidditch career - and halfway decent grades, hopefully - heading his way. If only Scorpius would stop crossing his path...
Author Notes: Counts to prompt #37 Where from my 100quills Next Generation Table
Written for Week Five of the ass_carnival, using all the prompts.
One. Two. Three. Four.
"Your first house, Al." His mum had that wistful, teary look in her eyes, and Al scoffed as he hefted another box into the lift. Everything had to be done by hand until they were up on the top floor, as the Floo hadn't been set up yet, and Apparating with boxes was never a smart move - things tended to get splinched, and it was always things one really needed.
But, the wards were already keyed into his magic and the Floo would be working tomorrow, and Al would be fully set up as an independent wizard. It was actually a little daunting.
"It's good that you're sharing, too. What is it your Grandma says... happiness is only real when it's shared." Al didn't quite believe that, but he didn't interrupt his Mum's wistful words. "Oh Al, it's the start of such a great adventure, the rest of your life. Setting forth in the universe, with everything still to play for."
"And you're starting it with a Malfoy." His Dad did not sound impressed, but Al didn't know if that was entirely because of Scorpius, or more to do with the heavy boxes of Al's belongings that he was having to heft into the lift. Luckily, his Mum gave his Dad a smack, so Al didn't need to retaliate.
"Harry, don't. This is it, our baby is moving out."
"I know; that's why I have to get in all my teasing now, in case I don't see him again."
"Don't see me again... Dad, I've moved to Sheffield, not the bloody wilderness. Once the Floo's up and running, it'll be as easy as walking up to my bedroom to see me. And I'll be home often enough."
"Of course you will be; who else would do your washing for you?"
Al scoffed, hitting the button for the penthouse and feeling the wards wash over him. The Muggle residents just assumed that there was a key needed to get the lift to go up to the penthouse suite, but Al knew the little keyhole was just for show. The lift moved smoothly and silently, stopping with a soft ding and sliding the doors open.
"Fucking hell."
"Harry!" But his Mum's admonishment was half-hearted, and Al watched as they both stepped out and stared around the spacious lounge. The flat was roughly split into unequal thirds - the two grand master suites at either end, and the guest rooms at the back of the building. The lounge and kitchen were open plan, and huge, with a wall of windows looking out of the city. It was a surprisingly gorgeous view, out over the entire city. And naturally, the Muggle-repellent charms didn't work on Al, so he could see not only the Muggle city, but the magical city too. It was beautiful.
"See why I signed the lease?" Al had explained the entire situation to his parents, and though they'd had some reservations, he'd talked them around.
"It is stunning. You really won't have to see much of Scorpius at all."
Grinning, Al nodded. This was perfect - the flat was big enough that he could carry on with Operation: Forget About Scorpius quite easily.
~~~~~♥~~~~~
Al's time on the pitch was nowhere near as strenuous as his time in the conference room, answering all manner of inane questions for every sporting magazine in existence. He'd actually been grateful when his Aunt Luna walked into the room, working as a freelance for The Quibbler, and spent twenty minutes questioning him about the genetic modification of Quidditch Players to create an invincible army for the upcoming Goblin-Wizard wars. After all, there were only so many times he could dodge the coy question of how big his broom was before he lost his temper, or overheated from blushing. Al had assumed that the biggest test of his courage would be walking onto the pitch for the first time as a first-team player, but now he thought that perhaps dealing with the press day in, day out, would test his courage more.
"Ready, Potter?"
"Really? Do we have to?" Al stood up, stretching his arms out and crossing the conference room towards Mack.
Mack laughed, ruffling Al's hair. "Yes, we do. It's team building."
Al didn't quite believe that, but nevertheless he followed Mack out into the courtyard, where the rest of the team was assembled. Coach Reynolds looked far too chirpy for someone who was about to dispatch his entire team out into the wilderness and trust them to make it back to the meeting point in one piece.
"Right, guys, you know the drill. No magic allowed; you're using your intelligence and skill to get through this team-building assignment." Coach Reynolds paused, letting all the moans and groans from the team quiet down before he spoke again. "In pairs, you get a map and a compass, and you have to get back to the clearing marked with a star, where we'll have beer and hotdogs. First team back wins a prize, and the last team back is picking up the wet towels for a week."
Al laughed along with his colleagues, wondering who he'd be teamed up with. As Coach Reynolds began reading off names, Al watched the pairs walk forwards to have a length of rope tied to their wrists, joining them together. A spell was cast, so Al figured the rope couldn't be taken off. There were only four of them left still to be paired off, and Al could already see where this was heading. The fates hated him.
"Potter and Malfoy, in honour of your new flat-sharing, you two are together."
Al didn't know whether to cheer or sigh, so he kept quiet, walking forwards and standing next to Scorpius, holding his wrist out to be joined up. When everyone was with their partner and had their map and compass, Coach Reynolds passed out a selection of old buttons. Al held his, careful not to let his fingertip touch Scorpius'.
"Three, two, one... and you're off!"
The familiar tug of the PortKey pulled Al forwards, and he banged against Scorpius as the world started spinning around them. Al had no luck with Port-Keys, but luckily Scorpius hit the forest floor first and fell over, making Al feel less self-conscious about ending up on his own arse.
"Right, do you know where we are?" Al stood up, hauling Scorpius up with him. Scorpius shook his head at Al's question. Al had no idea either - beyond it being the wilderness, they could be anywhere. "Okay, any idea how to read a map?"
"Haven't got a clue."
"Brilliant, looks like it's towel duty for us!"
~~~~~♥~~~~~
Even though neither one of them could read a map - or a compass - to save their life, they still managed to make it to the communal meeting place, a little picnic area set in the woods. They weren't first, but they weren't last either. As Al stood still and waited for Coach Reynolds to take the rope from around his wrists, he sniffed the air hungrily. "That smells good!"
Coach Reynolds laughed, pulling the rope and freeing Al and Scorpius from each other. "Hotdogs. Go and get some, and mingle."
Al turned around, to suggest they go and get something to eat, but Scorpius had already shot off. They hadn't spoken much, other than to work out which way to go, and Al wondered if Scorpius disliked being in his company that much. Al had found himself missing Scorpius insulting him, just for some sort of interaction between them. As Scorpius headed over to where Lewis was re-enacting some Beating victory, Al turned away and headed towards the barbeque, which Mack was handling at the same time as he danced and sang along to a Muggle radio.
"Wild thing! Uh! You make my heart sing! Uh!"
"Have you burnt yourself, Mack?" Al asked, adding cheekily when Mack just looked confused. "Because that can only be a noise of pain."
"If you want to eat tonight, you'll shut up and fetch me another beer."
Grinning, Al did as asked and fell into an easy conversation with Mack, trying not to think about Scorpius at all.
~~~~~♥~~~~~
Scorpius bit into his food, surreptitiously wiping the ketchup from his face before anyone could see him. He was enjoying the evening a lot more than he had the afternoon, where so much time in Al's company - tied to him, for Merlin's sakes - had made Scorpius uncomfortably self-aware. He didn't know Al's motivations for signing the lease, but his own were painful to look at. Scorpius had never been the type to pine or simper after someone, so to have taken on the responsibility of an apartment just to be closer to Al was a strange, and upsetting, turn of events.
And yet, when he had an entire afternoon alone with Al, Scorpius could think of nothing to say that wouldn't give his feelings away, and allow Al to get the upper hand over him.
Shaking his head and taking another bite of his hotdog, Scorpius decided that he really, really needed to get laid. Someone young and gorgeous to remind him that there were thousands of men out there better than Albus Potter.
Glitches and Snitches Chapter Six
Author: softly_sweetly
Beta: alexis_sd
Characters/Pairing: Albus Severus/Scorpius, cameos from any and all
Length: ~1,500
Rating: PG13 for now
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are the property of J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this piece of fanfiction.
Warnings: A little swearing
Summary: Al has a glittering Quidditch career - and halfway decent grades, hopefully - heading his way. If only Scorpius would stop crossing his path...
Author Notes: Counts to prompt #37 Where from my 100quills Next Generation Table
Written for Week Five of the ass_carnival, using all the prompts.
One. Two. Three. Four.
"Your first house, Al." His mum had that wistful, teary look in her eyes, and Al scoffed as he hefted another box into the lift. Everything had to be done by hand until they were up on the top floor, as the Floo hadn't been set up yet, and Apparating with boxes was never a smart move - things tended to get splinched, and it was always things one really needed.
But, the wards were already keyed into his magic and the Floo would be working tomorrow, and Al would be fully set up as an independent wizard. It was actually a little daunting.
"It's good that you're sharing, too. What is it your Grandma says... happiness is only real when it's shared." Al didn't quite believe that, but he didn't interrupt his Mum's wistful words. "Oh Al, it's the start of such a great adventure, the rest of your life. Setting forth in the universe, with everything still to play for."
"And you're starting it with a Malfoy." His Dad did not sound impressed, but Al didn't know if that was entirely because of Scorpius, or more to do with the heavy boxes of Al's belongings that he was having to heft into the lift. Luckily, his Mum gave his Dad a smack, so Al didn't need to retaliate.
"Harry, don't. This is it, our baby is moving out."
"I know; that's why I have to get in all my teasing now, in case I don't see him again."
"Don't see me again... Dad, I've moved to Sheffield, not the bloody wilderness. Once the Floo's up and running, it'll be as easy as walking up to my bedroom to see me. And I'll be home often enough."
"Of course you will be; who else would do your washing for you?"
Al scoffed, hitting the button for the penthouse and feeling the wards wash over him. The Muggle residents just assumed that there was a key needed to get the lift to go up to the penthouse suite, but Al knew the little keyhole was just for show. The lift moved smoothly and silently, stopping with a soft ding and sliding the doors open.
"Fucking hell."
"Harry!" But his Mum's admonishment was half-hearted, and Al watched as they both stepped out and stared around the spacious lounge. The flat was roughly split into unequal thirds - the two grand master suites at either end, and the guest rooms at the back of the building. The lounge and kitchen were open plan, and huge, with a wall of windows looking out of the city. It was a surprisingly gorgeous view, out over the entire city. And naturally, the Muggle-repellent charms didn't work on Al, so he could see not only the Muggle city, but the magical city too. It was beautiful.
"See why I signed the lease?" Al had explained the entire situation to his parents, and though they'd had some reservations, he'd talked them around.
"It is stunning. You really won't have to see much of Scorpius at all."
Grinning, Al nodded. This was perfect - the flat was big enough that he could carry on with Operation: Forget About Scorpius quite easily.
~~~~~♥~~~~~
Al's time on the pitch was nowhere near as strenuous as his time in the conference room, answering all manner of inane questions for every sporting magazine in existence. He'd actually been grateful when his Aunt Luna walked into the room, working as a freelance for The Quibbler, and spent twenty minutes questioning him about the genetic modification of Quidditch Players to create an invincible army for the upcoming Goblin-Wizard wars. After all, there were only so many times he could dodge the coy question of how big his broom was before he lost his temper, or overheated from blushing. Al had assumed that the biggest test of his courage would be walking onto the pitch for the first time as a first-team player, but now he thought that perhaps dealing with the press day in, day out, would test his courage more.
"Ready, Potter?"
"Really? Do we have to?" Al stood up, stretching his arms out and crossing the conference room towards Mack.
Mack laughed, ruffling Al's hair. "Yes, we do. It's team building."
Al didn't quite believe that, but nevertheless he followed Mack out into the courtyard, where the rest of the team was assembled. Coach Reynolds looked far too chirpy for someone who was about to dispatch his entire team out into the wilderness and trust them to make it back to the meeting point in one piece.
"Right, guys, you know the drill. No magic allowed; you're using your intelligence and skill to get through this team-building assignment." Coach Reynolds paused, letting all the moans and groans from the team quiet down before he spoke again. "In pairs, you get a map and a compass, and you have to get back to the clearing marked with a star, where we'll have beer and hotdogs. First team back wins a prize, and the last team back is picking up the wet towels for a week."
Al laughed along with his colleagues, wondering who he'd be teamed up with. As Coach Reynolds began reading off names, Al watched the pairs walk forwards to have a length of rope tied to their wrists, joining them together. A spell was cast, so Al figured the rope couldn't be taken off. There were only four of them left still to be paired off, and Al could already see where this was heading. The fates hated him.
"Potter and Malfoy, in honour of your new flat-sharing, you two are together."
Al didn't know whether to cheer or sigh, so he kept quiet, walking forwards and standing next to Scorpius, holding his wrist out to be joined up. When everyone was with their partner and had their map and compass, Coach Reynolds passed out a selection of old buttons. Al held his, careful not to let his fingertip touch Scorpius'.
"Three, two, one... and you're off!"
The familiar tug of the PortKey pulled Al forwards, and he banged against Scorpius as the world started spinning around them. Al had no luck with Port-Keys, but luckily Scorpius hit the forest floor first and fell over, making Al feel less self-conscious about ending up on his own arse.
"Right, do you know where we are?" Al stood up, hauling Scorpius up with him. Scorpius shook his head at Al's question. Al had no idea either - beyond it being the wilderness, they could be anywhere. "Okay, any idea how to read a map?"
"Haven't got a clue."
"Brilliant, looks like it's towel duty for us!"
~~~~~♥~~~~~
Even though neither one of them could read a map - or a compass - to save their life, they still managed to make it to the communal meeting place, a little picnic area set in the woods. They weren't first, but they weren't last either. As Al stood still and waited for Coach Reynolds to take the rope from around his wrists, he sniffed the air hungrily. "That smells good!"
Coach Reynolds laughed, pulling the rope and freeing Al and Scorpius from each other. "Hotdogs. Go and get some, and mingle."
Al turned around, to suggest they go and get something to eat, but Scorpius had already shot off. They hadn't spoken much, other than to work out which way to go, and Al wondered if Scorpius disliked being in his company that much. Al had found himself missing Scorpius insulting him, just for some sort of interaction between them. As Scorpius headed over to where Lewis was re-enacting some Beating victory, Al turned away and headed towards the barbeque, which Mack was handling at the same time as he danced and sang along to a Muggle radio.
"Wild thing! Uh! You make my heart sing! Uh!"
"Have you burnt yourself, Mack?" Al asked, adding cheekily when Mack just looked confused. "Because that can only be a noise of pain."
"If you want to eat tonight, you'll shut up and fetch me another beer."
Grinning, Al did as asked and fell into an easy conversation with Mack, trying not to think about Scorpius at all.
~~~~~♥~~~~~
Scorpius bit into his food, surreptitiously wiping the ketchup from his face before anyone could see him. He was enjoying the evening a lot more than he had the afternoon, where so much time in Al's company - tied to him, for Merlin's sakes - had made Scorpius uncomfortably self-aware. He didn't know Al's motivations for signing the lease, but his own were painful to look at. Scorpius had never been the type to pine or simper after someone, so to have taken on the responsibility of an apartment just to be closer to Al was a strange, and upsetting, turn of events.
And yet, when he had an entire afternoon alone with Al, Scorpius could think of nothing to say that wouldn't give his feelings away, and allow Al to get the upper hand over him.
Shaking his head and taking another bite of his hotdog, Scorpius decided that he really, really needed to get laid. Someone young and gorgeous to remind him that there were thousands of men out there better than Albus Potter.
Glitches and Snitches Chapter Six