Fic: Hope [PG-13]
Author: momma_66
Title: Hope
Pairing(s): Albus S./Scorpius (pre-slash), Severus/Remus (past)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Word Count: 5603
Summary: Albus will be content in his life. Having Scorpius as his friend, settling into being a professor. There isn't anything missing.
Prompt: #35 (Submitted by maraudersaffair)
Notes: I strayed from the prompt, a little bit.
Hope
He leaned against the cool stone, his eyes closed and a small smile on his face. A deep breath in and even three months of dormancy couldn't mask that scent, Albus would bet money, good, good money, that it was in the walls; soaked in and permanent. Potions, magic; a thousand different, unique ingredients and ingenuity. He opened his eyes taking in the whole classroom; His Classroom. His eyes flicked briefly to the portrait that hung behind his desk; it was empty, no surprise. He should move it, he thought, put it somewhere that wasn't in the room he would be spending the most time. He hadn't been lying, he wasn't here to try and reconnect with Severus Snape. He tried enough of that in school, thank you very much. Now he was the one teaching the children, and unlike the drone Albus had had, and the dimwit that Albus was taking over from; he was going to show them. Potions wasn't about greasy hair and 'Hate-the-World' attitudes. They didn't have to hole themselves away in dingy dungeons and emerge paler than a full moon.
"Good morning, my dear boy." He looked up to find Albus Dumbledore standing in Snape's portrait.
Albus grinned and took his first full step into his classroom. "G'mornin' Dumbledore." Albus stuck out his hand and with a chuckle the former Headmaster did the same; they shook the air with laughter between them.
"It's good to see you here, Albus." The younger couldn't stop himself from scuffing his toe against the worn stone floor. "I had tried for a larger welcome party."
Albus waved his hand dismissively. "Please, Professor. That's not why I'm here, honestly." Dumbledore nodded and let the subject drop. He knew the older man though, Dumbledore wouldn't let it drop that easily. Albus would have to be prepared in the future for its return.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "You always had a knack for potions."
He grinned sardonically, "At the dismay of much of my family." It was Dumbledore's turn to wave his hand dismissively. "I know, don't let that bother me. I don't. Scor's glad I'm here, Rose finally forgave me for ditching her to the grind of that American company. That's what matters."
The old man smiled again, "Yes it is." Albus felt his cheeks redden at the knowing grin from Dumbledore. He never should have let the schemer know about his long held love for his best mate. James had warned him that once Dumbledore knew something of value he was hard pressed to let it go. "I'll let you settle in Albus." Albus tipped his head in good-bye.
He looked around the classroom shaking his head in disbelief. How was any one expected to learn in such a deary atmosphere. With a wave of his wand he enchanted a few more lanterns above the desks. Then he started brightening it up. He changed out old (Merlin, this tapestry had been hanging there when Snape was a professor) artwork for still mellow colors but not the black, gray and black that the potion room seemed to possess in spades. So caught up in his redecorating he missed the entrance of another person in his classroom.
"By God, Albus. The students aren't going to recognize the place!" Albus' head snapped around to the doorway. Scorpius was leaning against the entrance, smiling fondly at his friend. He grinned back without much meaning to, Scorpius had that effect on him.
Albus looked around at his handiwork and was pleased with the outcome. "That's the point, mate. I don't want them to feel like this is the same old room, just a new face behind the desk."
Scorpius scanned a critical eye over the class. "I think you'll achieve that on your own, Allie. Don't worry about that."
He beamed at the praise, "Thank you." He clapped his hands together, "Now, tell me what does a professor do around here for fun."
Scorpius smirked, "You'll find that it's not much different than the students." Albus shared the smirk with him.
~*~
Albus couldn't stop his shaking hands waiting for his first class of the year. He was thinking McGonagall was testing him. Giving him seventh year Slytherin/Gryfindors; they were going to eat him alive. At least it had been eight years since he'd been a student at Hogwarts, none of these students would know him from his time.
A snicker broke into his thoughts, he spun around to find Snape finally occupying the portrait behind his desk. "You shouldn't let them see you sweat. They'll eat you alive." It was the only thing he said and Albus didn't have a chance to respond before the former-Professor was sliding out of the frame and disappeared. Albus scowled and grumbled.
Then the first students started to file in and Albus didn't mistake their approving looks and some down right shocked when they looked around the classroom. Once everyone filed in and settled down Albus clapped his hands together and the nerves he'd been battling with melted away.
Three weeks later, as his last class for the day left the classroom with 'good-byes' and 'see you later' chorusing after them Albus slumped into his chair. He loved teaching and he could tell that the students were enjoying the class more and actually looked forward to coming to Albus' dank little corner of the school now. But. They talked constantly, hardly finished the assignments that Albus gave them. He didn't understand what he was doing wrong. He made it fun, gave them interesting potions to make. Still, they chattered during class, passed notes. Scorpius had observed his first year Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw block and had gave him a peculiar look before he left.
"As much as you want to be. You're not here to be their friend." He didn't even bother turning to the snide voice. Snape rarely said anything to him, only made it a point to pop into his classes from time to time. Albus always knew when he was there because the students sat up a little straighter, didn't talk as much. They were still terrified of the man, even though he was no longer physically a part of the world.
"I'm not trying to be their friend." That only got a snort out of Snape. "Really, Snape. I just want them to enjoy Potions."
"I understand that. And you're doing a...good," Albus grinned, how hard was it for Snape to admit that? "job of it, but you need to rein your class room in." Albus turned in his chair and looked up at the man. "Potions is dangerous and you need to remember that."
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes but his hand did drift to his upper arm where hidden under his robes was a scar that showed Albus understood how dangerous potions could be. "I know that Professor." Snape didn't look convinced but he didn't have anything else to say and disappeared from the frame.
~*~
They were sprawled on the couch in Albus' chambers, papers from both of their classes mixed together and they knew it was going to be torture in the morning to separate the potions and charms essays. Albus was taking up most of the space with his back against one arm of the couch and his upper and most of his lower body resting on the cushions. Scorpius was making due with his little corner but Albus could see him nodding off from time to time.
"Go to bed, Scorp!" Albus startled him with his suddenly loud voice. Scorpius blinked at him sleepily before a devious look spread over his face. He crawled up the length of Albus' body flicking essays away with the brush of his hand. He settled himself in the crook between Albus and the back of the couch. "What are you doing?"
Scorpius grinned, "Like old times." Albus laughed.
"Scorp, old times was when we were fifteen and stayed up late studying in the old Astronomy Tower." And they had to share the same transfigured blanket because it was too dangerous to try and make it back to their dorms and it was too damn cold to lay there without the others body heat. Albus also hadn't been madly in love with Scorpius then, either.
Scorpius snorted quietly, "Don't age us yet. That was only a decade ago." Albus sighed and picked up his wand and accio'd a blanket from his bed to lay over them. Scorpius was out in seconds but sleep wasn't coming to Albus. He reached down and picked up a random essay, it was for Scorpius' class and Albus read over it any ways. There wasn't any reason he couldn't help out the sleeping man.
"How...adorable." He looked over and found Snape in his favorite portrait to bother Albus from while the professor was in his chambers. It was of a study, a library in the background, with a small table and ancient wingback chair. "I hadn't guessed. You two are remarkably discreet."
Albus' cheeks flamed and he quickly cast a silence charm around Scorpius. "There isn't anything to be discreet about," he growled. Snape quirked an eyebrow. "Really, this is just..." Torture, Albus' mind supplied helpfully.
"Well, that is," For the first time ever Albus saw something in Snape's eyes he hadn't seen before. Pity, understanding, something more that he couldn't place. Maybe longing. "I may have underestimated your bravery Potter." Before Albus could respond to that Snape was gone. But something had changed in their relationship. Even if Albus wasn't sure what it was.
~*~
After the brief moment in Albus' chambers things changed dramatically between him and Snape. The former-Professor spent more time in his classroom but didn't glare and scare his students. He helped them, kept an ever watchful eye over them and even suggested potions that Albus hadn't thought about and were as interesting as the ones he'd been given all semester. By the time the holidays rolled around Albus was settled in his teaching.
They were packing the few items they wanted to take with them (actually Scorpius had been finished and Albus waited until the last minute). Scorpius swung his arm around Albus' shoulders, "I'll be waiting in the Great Hall, mate." Albus just caught the smile he sent over Albus' shoulder. Ah, so there was a prompter for his sudden departure. Once the chamber door shut Albus turned to the portrait.
"Yes?" He folded his arms over his chest and smiled cheerfully.
Severus stared after Scorpius' exit. "How long?" Albus was thrown by the question. The former teacher hadn't brought up that conversation in some time.
"Why do you care?" he didn't mean to snap but he was admittedly sensitive of the subject.
Severus' eyes narrowed, "I'm curious. You are certainly not a man who sits and twiddles his thumbs over something." Albus blushed at the praise.
"Too long now," He answered. "A few years." Albus could remember the exact moment, like it was a picture snapped and placed in his head to replay over and over again. Scorpius had just received his acceptance as the new charms professor and in his excitement had given Albus a sloppy, beautiful kiss on the corner of his mouth. Albus later convinced himself that his cheek was where Scorpius had been aiming.
Severus nodded, "Have you ever thought of telling him?"
Albus snorted, "no, never." Severus went to open his mouth and Albus didn't know what he was going to say but he cut the man off anyways. "I'm fine with the way things are. Leave it be, Severus." Instead of protesting Severus nodded and wished him a happy holiday before heading off. Albus wondered what the man was doing when he wasn't terrorizing himself and students.
~*~
"Okay guys! Holidays are over and we're really going to set in to prepare for those Nasty Exhausting Wizarding Tests!" Even with Albus' cheer turned to HI the classroom groaned. "Aw, c'mon now. You know I'm going to make it fun for you." He gestured to the ingredients spread along the front table. "This potion is difficult to make, so make sure you're paying close attention to what I'm telling you." He cast an eye along the classroom, everyone was paying attention, "Good. Now, it's really important that you put these in the correct order. I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is if batwings get put in before the graphorn powder. Okay?" The classroom nodded. They preceded, each student coming up and retrieving their ingredients. As he moved around the classroom he kept an ever watchful eye on his students and was comforted to know that Severus was also watching over them.
He was bent over Greg and Mary's desk to answer a question they had about the thickness of their potion. He was reassuring them that, yes, they had done a great job and it was coming along just-
"No! You idiot don't-!" Albus snapped to attention and quickly spotted what Severus was shouting about. The potion for Hailey and Pietro's potions was bubbling dangerously and even though he had his wand ready and was already casting a containment charm a large bubble boiled over and popped with a sickening sound. It hit Hailey on her arms and she started screaming instantly. The room broke out into a confusing roar as Albus rushed to Hailey's side. Severus was shouting for Olga, the closest student to the medical cabinet to get a small clear vial of lotion.
"Spread it over the burns, Potter, quickly!" Albus used the entire vial on her rubbing the lotion into her arms quickly but gently. Soon as the lotion hit her Hailey quieted but she still whimpered in pain.
Albus soothed her, "Don't worry, we got it, it's going to be okay." Madam Pomfrey rushed into the room and Albus knew that Severus was to thank for her immediate entrance to the classroom; even if he couldn't quite figure out how he had done it without leaving the room.
"Everyone!" Madam Pomfrey called over the overwhelming din of the room, "Everyone! Please go back to your common rooms. You are excused from the rest of your classes." She put a comforting hand on Albus' arm before her entire attention was focused on Hailey. "Oh, oh," she said softly. She ran her fingers over the burns and made soft sounds, her wand was busily marking down each wound and cataloging what needed to be treated. "You're going to be okay," Hailey gave her a watery smile. "Professors Potter and Snape were quick, no permanent damage. Come on, let's get you to the hospital wing so you can rest and we'll wrap this up to prevent infection."
Albus stood there not knowing what to do but Hailey figured it out for him. She grabbed his wrist, "Please come with me Professor Potter." He nodded and put an arm around her.
~*~
Albus didn't know what to do with himself. Potions had been canceled for the rest of the day, surprisingly to everyone’s disappointment. He was slumped over the desk in his chambers, there was a piece of parchment crinkled underneath him. He had let this happen. He knew it. With his drive to make potions a fun class, to change the students opinion; he had been lax in safety. A snort brought him out of his personal pity party. Severus was standing in his portrait, arms crossed, shaking his head.
"What do you want?" he glared.
"One student gets hurt and you're ready to throw in the towel?" He gestured to Albus' attempt to write his resignation.
Albus glared harder, "How many students did you get hurt?" he snapped.
"None, but I treated my students like the idiots they weren't and never allowed them a challenge. You should see Slughorn's roster of hurt students. I'm sure there is a folders worth. And that last idiot they had in here almost killed a whole first year class because he couldn't remember that lacewings and toads breath is lethal." It didn't make Albus feel any better to know there were bigger idiots than himself.
Albus looked up at Severus, "If you hadn't been there..."
"Don't think about that. I was, and I'll be there again." Now those words comforted him. Anything else Severus was going to say was interrupted by a knock on his chamber doors. He glanced at the door for a moment but when he looked back Severus was gone.
"Come on in," he called. Scorpius and Rose came into his chambers. "Rose, what are you doing here?"
Rose frowned before grabbing him in a hug. "Malfoy called me. Are you okay?"
Albus shot Scorpius a glare, "I'm fine, Rose. It's Hailey I'm worried about."
Rose waved her hand dismissively, "She's already out of the infirmary and complaining that they canceled potions for tomorrow. She wants to prove she isn't an idiot."
"You talked to her?"
"I'm friends with Jenna Keene, Hailey's mother. I've known her since she was a little girl. Stop changing the subject. How are you?" Albus sighed, his cousin wouldn't be satisfied until he gave her an answer. They spent a half-hour dragging the story out of Albus and when it was finished Rose looked satisfied. "It'll be okay, Al. The students love you. Don't let this bring you down. You're the best potions professor this school has had." Albus would disagree. The best was the man who had saved Hailey from a lifetime of permanent damage. "I have to go, but I'll see you at spring hols." She kissed his cheek and gave Scorpius a friendly nod. They were improving as the years went by. Albus suspected that by the time they were old and gray they would admit they were friends.
With just the two of them Albus felt relaxed for the first time since his day had taken a drastic turn. "What's this?" Scorpius lifted the blank piece of parchment off Albus' desk. By the glare Scorpius was aware what Albus had planned on writing. "You're gonna give up? Over one incident."
Albus scoffed, "I almost scarred a student."
"No," Scorpius cut him off. "That student almost scarred herself. McGonagall talked to the students in class. You made it very clear that the ingredients needed to be in a certain order. Keene wasn't paying attention, she even said she wasn't paying attention. She'd been talking to her partner. So neither of them were paying attention. It was certainly not your fault."
"I let them think it was okay! I've been a terrible professor! Trying to be their friends instead of their mentor." Albus shouted, his face turning red.
Scorpius scoffed, "You've been a terrible professor? Students look more forward to your class than they do lunch. Don't you get that?" Albus waved his hand angrily and had something to say to that but Scorpius halted the words in his throat when he took the few steps to bring himself in front of Albus. He wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close. "You're an idiot, Albus Severus Potter." Albus' arms came around Scorpius and he hugged him back just as tight. "If you quit now, after all of this. After giving up those job offers, after making a difference in the students' lives." He shook his head, "You'd be an idiot."
Albus laughed, "Thanks. I think I needed to hear that." Scorpius cuffed him on his shoulder before dragging him over to the couch.
"I'll tell you whenever you need it." They fell into a comfortable conversation but Albus couldn't let his mind drift too far from how disastrous the day could have turned.
~*~
When Albus finally got Scorpius to leave with the promise that he wouldn't get drunk by himself if the need came and that yes, he knew that Scorpius was only a few floors away. He was able to resume his private pity party. His shoulders fell and chin tucked against his chest. Sorry excuse, he thought. He scrubbed at his face but snatched it away when he caught a faint scent of the cream he had to pour over the burns Hailey suffered from. Tears stung at his eyes again and with no one around he finally let them fall. He put his head down and did not care as he quickly soaked his robe.
"Please, Potter." Albus jerked around, Severus was sitting arms in the wingback. "This sulking is ridiculous."
Albus felt his face flame with anger. "Stay out of this you greasy git!" Though Severus rolled his eyes and looked amused Albus instantly felt guilty. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't-"
Severus held up his hand, "Don't, Potter. Go over to that bureau in the last drawer you'll find a false bottom. Tap your wand twice on it." Albus quirked his brow but did as he was told. He lifted the piece of wood away.
"Wait a minute. Why didn't I ever..." Albus glanced at Severus. "You glamored these chambers! How many other nooks and crannies am I missing?" He had always thought the tiny teachers quarters were smaller than his mates.
Severus smirked but didn't answer. "Take a look, Albus." His fingers stilled over the safely tucked away bottle. Severus had never called him that. Potter, Another Weasley, and a dozen other things, but never Albus. He looked at the beautiful glass bottle; it was expensive a dark brown with a single label placed on it. He picked it up and thought that it would have been...picturesque if there had been dust to brush away.
"Hope..." He said softly. There was a date 1981. "What is this?" Albus took another look in the drawer but all there was were two tumblers, also dark brown glass. He removed both of them.
Severus leaned back in his chair and Albus noticed he had his own bottle of firewhiskey on the table next to him. He could only imagine what sort of spirit Severus could get his hands on in this ancient castle. "I used to take risks, too, Albus. Trust me, fool-hardy jump first ask questions later is not an exclusive trait for Gryfindors." Albus laughed, how he knew that to be true. Rose and Scorpius were the prank masterminds. Not Albus, he would swear.
Still grinning he set the old bottle down and ran his fingers over the wax sealed stopper. "Are you saying, Severus, that you brewed this fine whiskey yourself?" Albus was even more reluctant to break the seal now. This had been made and bottled with intentions. Someone as notoriously bad-tempered and ill-mannered as Severus Snape didn't hide away something of his own creation for over four decades. Then just...present it to someone he barely tolerated.
"I brewed it the summer I finished school, let it age for two years and then bottled it. With a friend."
"No you couldn't have," Albus laughed.
Severus glared, "Regardless what they say Potions has always been my favorite. And distilling alcohol isn't much different."
"But why?"
He shrugged, "because we could."
"We?" Albus ventured carefully. It didn't take much for Severus Snape to clamp up.
The former-Professor took his time pouring himself a full tumbler of whiskey, he lifted the glass took a deep breath and sipped gently. He barely showed it but the liquor burned down his throat and Albus really wondered what the age and year were. "Allow me to tell you a story." Albus sat forward in his chair. "A long time ago two young wizards went to this school. One was reserved, disagreeable, general git to the populace; the other quiet, shy, private, but oh, so many friends. Good friends, loyal. Now, their paths, they never should have crossed, or at least, would not have crossed if not for a lifted bottle of firewhiskey and a midnight stroll to the Astronomy Tower." Severus paused and took another sip of his drink, a longer one this time. "Astoundingly, they had much in common. The shy wizard, we'll call him Moony, was brilliant and a step up from the dunderheads...we'll call the git-"
"How about we call him Severus?" Albus supplied helpfully. He expected Severus to glare but he only looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Moony said something similar. We were such adversaries, for no reason other than his friends; they were-" Severus stopped himself. "In the end they meant nothing when it came to what we shared," Severus rushed through the sentence and Albus wondered for a moment what half of the story he was missing. "They came to trust each other. Shared everything with each other. Moony revealed his most sacred secret and Seve- I, too, shared things I never thought I would." His hand drifted over his left forearm. Albus stifled the barrage of questions that hit him with the gesture. "Right after school we had a flat together and Moony had a mischievous streak a mile wide. We brewed that and took it to the shores of Ireland; we had grand plans of coming back for it once it had aged to be proper Scotch Whiskey."
Albus felt tears prick his eyes again. It wasn't hard to figure out where this was going. He knew his history well and if the liquor was brewed in '78 and bottled in '81; a year after the end of the first war. He forced himself to keep it together, he wasn't even drinking, damn it. And Severus had already finished his second glass, was half-way on his third. "Don't blubber," Severus rolled his eyes. "Moony didn't die," He read Albus' mind. "It was worse," he muttered. "Stupid idiot mistakes, fights and ultimately betrayals. Things spiraled so quickly out of control and before either of us knew it we were complete enemies and there wasn't a thing that would bridge the gap again."
They sat in silence; Albus thinking over Severus' story wondering why the man had decided tonight to share it with him. Severus drank quietly, his eyes focused on the immaculate bottle sitting on the desk. Albus looked between Severus and the bottle, "If you want, I'll put it back."
Severus' eyes softened, "My boy, if I hadn't wanted you to have it I would never have told you where it was." He paused, then nodded to himself. "That bottle, it was suppose to be drank with someone I love," Albus damned his sensitive emotions that he would tear up at the use of present tense. "Hope," he said quietly, "It was to represent the day that our differences no longer mattered; represent our final step to happiness. That day never happened, Albus. We grew old and missed our chance several times. Let the naivete of childhood, the betrayal of growing up and a part stop us." Severus took another long drink of his firewhiskey. He thought the former-Professor was well past drunk; Albus hoped he didn't regret sharing with him come morning and sobriety. "I need you to take that bottle," Severus continued, voice still soft and steady. "Drink it with the man you love, toast to hope and happiness. And don't let anything or one stand in the way."
Albus throat burned and he looked away. "Thought you said it was a fool's errand."
"The only fool in this room is myself." Severus set his tumbler down and pushed it away. He stood gracefully, without a wobble to his knees and Albus thought maybe he underestimated his namesakes tolerance. "You'll take it under consideration?" Severus stared down his long, crooked nose at Albus; daring him to say anything other than, "Of course," Albus nodded.
He picked up the tumblers and tucked them into his robes before picking up the firewhiskey and cradled it carefully in his hands. He heard Severus mumble, "Damnable Gryffindors," before walking away. Not without a fond smile for Albus; he was starting to think the past four months weren't as wasted as he thought before. He had been able to wear down the ridged man. Looking at the whiskey he knew it had been worth it; learning what he had. With confidence he hadn't felt in some time in his step he headed toward the Ravenclaw Tower.
~*~
Courage be damned once there, outside Scorpius' rooms he didn't know what to do. He brought his hand up to knock but withdrew it before he could do the task; he cursed himself. Severus would not have sent him on a dead end run, the old man had seen something to warrant sharing the long kept secret with Albus. He went to knock again, dead set on completing this time when the rich oak door swung open on its own accord.
"How long do you plan to stand there, mate?" Scorpius chuckled, leaning against the stone doorway. His eyes settled on the bottle in Albus hands. "Well, at least you took that suggestion."
Albus grinned, "You were adamant that I not drink alone. Though I wouldn't have; Severus was keeping me company." Scorpius rolled his eyes. Albus and Snape's company was usually spent with good-nature but insulting banter. "We had a pleasant conversation. If he hadn't..." Albus shook his head. He didn't want to think about Hailey at the moment.
Scorpius stepped back and let Albus come into his chambers; he shut the door softly behind them. Albus set the bottle down and took out the tumblers. Scorpius inspected the brew and gave Albus a peculiar look when he saw the handmade label and year it was bottled. "Pray tell, Albus. Where did you get home brewed post-war one firewhiskey?"
Albus chuckled, he knew his sensitive palate friend would appreciate the firewhiskey. "A friend," he answered cryptically.
But his friend was sharp, "Did Snape share this with you?" He laughed outright at Scorpius' shock.
He cracked the wax seal and poured them each a healthy amount into the tumblers. Carefully he set the bottle down and picked up both tumblers and handed one over to Scorpius. "Yes," he smiled at his friend, "Severus gave it to me."
Scorpius raised one eyebrow, "How exactly did he do that?"
"Told me where to find it. Can you believe this has been sitting in the bottom of a bureau for fifty years?" Scorpius' eyes went wide. "Yeah, I know."
They took seats on the couch and Scorpius leaned back, tumbler in hand. "So, what are we celebrating? Earlier you were ready to throw in your resignation."
Albus swallowed thickly, he hadn't thought this through, he didn't have anything to say. "I was being dramatic earlier."
"Then I'll propose a toast." Scorpius raised his glass and Albus mimicked, "To good professors, and better friends. There hasn't been a potions class looked more forward to in a century." Albus' cheeks heated. Dumbledore took every opportunity to tell him what the students said about him; even every awkward crush. Hearing Scorpius though warmed him and he could feel his heart racing faster.
"And to the best charms professor, also," They clinked glasses and took sips. Albus didn't have the chance often to taste exquiste liquors, but this brew was the smoothest he had.
"Fantastic," he muttered. He hadn't expected anything less from the crotchety old man.
Scorpius nodded his agreement and took another sip. "Albus," Scorpius set his glass down, "what are you doing here?"
"I can't share fine whiskey with my best friend?" He chuckled but even to himself it sounded forced, if not a little hysterical.
Rolling his eyes he took Albus' glass as well and set it beside his own. "And I thank you, but I know you Allie." Scorpius leaned forward and looked Albus in the eye. "You're so nervous I could mistake you for that old house elf that works in the kitchens. What's going on?" he took Albus' hand.
"You know," he blurted out, not thinking about what was going to come out of his mouth, "there is a story behind this bottle of firewhiskey." Scorpius quirked his brow and motioned for Albus to continue. "The-the two who brewed it together, they were going to be the ones who drank. They had these...magical dreams of what they were going to do after the war. Hope, it was supposed to be what they were working toward. They never got there. They let things build and die between them and when every opportunity came to change it; they did nothing." Albus sucked in breath and picked up his glass throwing the burning amber down his throat. When he looked at Scorpius he looked...
He looked amused. "What are you smiling about?" Albus demanded, his cheeks heating. It wasn't easy trying (failing) to pour his heart out. Scorpius leaned closer and cupped Albus' cheek with one hand, the other fell on his waist. "What?" he mumbled before his lips were captured. It was soft, closed mouth. The gentlest of movement against their lips and when they pulled away Scorpius was smiling. Albus wasn't sure what his look said, it must not have been good.
"What?" he stuttered again.
"Y'know, Albus Potter, I've waited two years for you to make a move..." Now Scorpius looked nervous and he was pulling away. Albus wasn't having that.
He twisted his fingers in Scorpius' robe and kept him in place. "Two years?" Scorpius blushed. "Why didn't you...?"
"I could ask the same thing." Albus breathed out a laugh, then. "What would your favorite professor say?" Scorpius slipped the hand that had strayed briefly from his waist around to rest on his lower back.
"'Dunderheads'," Albus mimicked in his best Severus impression. Scorpius nodded. It was a fine word to describe them.
Title: Hope
Pairing(s): Albus S./Scorpius (pre-slash), Severus/Remus (past)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Word Count: 5603
Summary: Albus will be content in his life. Having Scorpius as his friend, settling into being a professor. There isn't anything missing.
Prompt: #35 (Submitted by maraudersaffair)
Notes: I strayed from the prompt, a little bit.
Hope
He leaned against the cool stone, his eyes closed and a small smile on his face. A deep breath in and even three months of dormancy couldn't mask that scent, Albus would bet money, good, good money, that it was in the walls; soaked in and permanent. Potions, magic; a thousand different, unique ingredients and ingenuity. He opened his eyes taking in the whole classroom; His Classroom. His eyes flicked briefly to the portrait that hung behind his desk; it was empty, no surprise. He should move it, he thought, put it somewhere that wasn't in the room he would be spending the most time. He hadn't been lying, he wasn't here to try and reconnect with Severus Snape. He tried enough of that in school, thank you very much. Now he was the one teaching the children, and unlike the drone Albus had had, and the dimwit that Albus was taking over from; he was going to show them. Potions wasn't about greasy hair and 'Hate-the-World' attitudes. They didn't have to hole themselves away in dingy dungeons and emerge paler than a full moon.
"Good morning, my dear boy." He looked up to find Albus Dumbledore standing in Snape's portrait.
Albus grinned and took his first full step into his classroom. "G'mornin' Dumbledore." Albus stuck out his hand and with a chuckle the former Headmaster did the same; they shook the air with laughter between them.
"It's good to see you here, Albus." The younger couldn't stop himself from scuffing his toe against the worn stone floor. "I had tried for a larger welcome party."
Albus waved his hand dismissively. "Please, Professor. That's not why I'm here, honestly." Dumbledore nodded and let the subject drop. He knew the older man though, Dumbledore wouldn't let it drop that easily. Albus would have to be prepared in the future for its return.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "You always had a knack for potions."
He grinned sardonically, "At the dismay of much of my family." It was Dumbledore's turn to wave his hand dismissively. "I know, don't let that bother me. I don't. Scor's glad I'm here, Rose finally forgave me for ditching her to the grind of that American company. That's what matters."
The old man smiled again, "Yes it is." Albus felt his cheeks redden at the knowing grin from Dumbledore. He never should have let the schemer know about his long held love for his best mate. James had warned him that once Dumbledore knew something of value he was hard pressed to let it go. "I'll let you settle in Albus." Albus tipped his head in good-bye.
He looked around the classroom shaking his head in disbelief. How was any one expected to learn in such a deary atmosphere. With a wave of his wand he enchanted a few more lanterns above the desks. Then he started brightening it up. He changed out old (Merlin, this tapestry had been hanging there when Snape was a professor) artwork for still mellow colors but not the black, gray and black that the potion room seemed to possess in spades. So caught up in his redecorating he missed the entrance of another person in his classroom.
"By God, Albus. The students aren't going to recognize the place!" Albus' head snapped around to the doorway. Scorpius was leaning against the entrance, smiling fondly at his friend. He grinned back without much meaning to, Scorpius had that effect on him.
Albus looked around at his handiwork and was pleased with the outcome. "That's the point, mate. I don't want them to feel like this is the same old room, just a new face behind the desk."
Scorpius scanned a critical eye over the class. "I think you'll achieve that on your own, Allie. Don't worry about that."
He beamed at the praise, "Thank you." He clapped his hands together, "Now, tell me what does a professor do around here for fun."
Scorpius smirked, "You'll find that it's not much different than the students." Albus shared the smirk with him.
~*~
Albus couldn't stop his shaking hands waiting for his first class of the year. He was thinking McGonagall was testing him. Giving him seventh year Slytherin/Gryfindors; they were going to eat him alive. At least it had been eight years since he'd been a student at Hogwarts, none of these students would know him from his time.
A snicker broke into his thoughts, he spun around to find Snape finally occupying the portrait behind his desk. "You shouldn't let them see you sweat. They'll eat you alive." It was the only thing he said and Albus didn't have a chance to respond before the former-Professor was sliding out of the frame and disappeared. Albus scowled and grumbled.
Then the first students started to file in and Albus didn't mistake their approving looks and some down right shocked when they looked around the classroom. Once everyone filed in and settled down Albus clapped his hands together and the nerves he'd been battling with melted away.
Three weeks later, as his last class for the day left the classroom with 'good-byes' and 'see you later' chorusing after them Albus slumped into his chair. He loved teaching and he could tell that the students were enjoying the class more and actually looked forward to coming to Albus' dank little corner of the school now. But. They talked constantly, hardly finished the assignments that Albus gave them. He didn't understand what he was doing wrong. He made it fun, gave them interesting potions to make. Still, they chattered during class, passed notes. Scorpius had observed his first year Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw block and had gave him a peculiar look before he left.
"As much as you want to be. You're not here to be their friend." He didn't even bother turning to the snide voice. Snape rarely said anything to him, only made it a point to pop into his classes from time to time. Albus always knew when he was there because the students sat up a little straighter, didn't talk as much. They were still terrified of the man, even though he was no longer physically a part of the world.
"I'm not trying to be their friend." That only got a snort out of Snape. "Really, Snape. I just want them to enjoy Potions."
"I understand that. And you're doing a...good," Albus grinned, how hard was it for Snape to admit that? "job of it, but you need to rein your class room in." Albus turned in his chair and looked up at the man. "Potions is dangerous and you need to remember that."
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes but his hand did drift to his upper arm where hidden under his robes was a scar that showed Albus understood how dangerous potions could be. "I know that Professor." Snape didn't look convinced but he didn't have anything else to say and disappeared from the frame.
~*~
They were sprawled on the couch in Albus' chambers, papers from both of their classes mixed together and they knew it was going to be torture in the morning to separate the potions and charms essays. Albus was taking up most of the space with his back against one arm of the couch and his upper and most of his lower body resting on the cushions. Scorpius was making due with his little corner but Albus could see him nodding off from time to time.
"Go to bed, Scorp!" Albus startled him with his suddenly loud voice. Scorpius blinked at him sleepily before a devious look spread over his face. He crawled up the length of Albus' body flicking essays away with the brush of his hand. He settled himself in the crook between Albus and the back of the couch. "What are you doing?"
Scorpius grinned, "Like old times." Albus laughed.
"Scorp, old times was when we were fifteen and stayed up late studying in the old Astronomy Tower." And they had to share the same transfigured blanket because it was too dangerous to try and make it back to their dorms and it was too damn cold to lay there without the others body heat. Albus also hadn't been madly in love with Scorpius then, either.
Scorpius snorted quietly, "Don't age us yet. That was only a decade ago." Albus sighed and picked up his wand and accio'd a blanket from his bed to lay over them. Scorpius was out in seconds but sleep wasn't coming to Albus. He reached down and picked up a random essay, it was for Scorpius' class and Albus read over it any ways. There wasn't any reason he couldn't help out the sleeping man.
"How...adorable." He looked over and found Snape in his favorite portrait to bother Albus from while the professor was in his chambers. It was of a study, a library in the background, with a small table and ancient wingback chair. "I hadn't guessed. You two are remarkably discreet."
Albus' cheeks flamed and he quickly cast a silence charm around Scorpius. "There isn't anything to be discreet about," he growled. Snape quirked an eyebrow. "Really, this is just..." Torture, Albus' mind supplied helpfully.
"Well, that is," For the first time ever Albus saw something in Snape's eyes he hadn't seen before. Pity, understanding, something more that he couldn't place. Maybe longing. "I may have underestimated your bravery Potter." Before Albus could respond to that Snape was gone. But something had changed in their relationship. Even if Albus wasn't sure what it was.
~*~
After the brief moment in Albus' chambers things changed dramatically between him and Snape. The former-Professor spent more time in his classroom but didn't glare and scare his students. He helped them, kept an ever watchful eye over them and even suggested potions that Albus hadn't thought about and were as interesting as the ones he'd been given all semester. By the time the holidays rolled around Albus was settled in his teaching.
They were packing the few items they wanted to take with them (actually Scorpius had been finished and Albus waited until the last minute). Scorpius swung his arm around Albus' shoulders, "I'll be waiting in the Great Hall, mate." Albus just caught the smile he sent over Albus' shoulder. Ah, so there was a prompter for his sudden departure. Once the chamber door shut Albus turned to the portrait.
"Yes?" He folded his arms over his chest and smiled cheerfully.
Severus stared after Scorpius' exit. "How long?" Albus was thrown by the question. The former teacher hadn't brought up that conversation in some time.
"Why do you care?" he didn't mean to snap but he was admittedly sensitive of the subject.
Severus' eyes narrowed, "I'm curious. You are certainly not a man who sits and twiddles his thumbs over something." Albus blushed at the praise.
"Too long now," He answered. "A few years." Albus could remember the exact moment, like it was a picture snapped and placed in his head to replay over and over again. Scorpius had just received his acceptance as the new charms professor and in his excitement had given Albus a sloppy, beautiful kiss on the corner of his mouth. Albus later convinced himself that his cheek was where Scorpius had been aiming.
Severus nodded, "Have you ever thought of telling him?"
Albus snorted, "no, never." Severus went to open his mouth and Albus didn't know what he was going to say but he cut the man off anyways. "I'm fine with the way things are. Leave it be, Severus." Instead of protesting Severus nodded and wished him a happy holiday before heading off. Albus wondered what the man was doing when he wasn't terrorizing himself and students.
~*~
"Okay guys! Holidays are over and we're really going to set in to prepare for those Nasty Exhausting Wizarding Tests!" Even with Albus' cheer turned to HI the classroom groaned. "Aw, c'mon now. You know I'm going to make it fun for you." He gestured to the ingredients spread along the front table. "This potion is difficult to make, so make sure you're paying close attention to what I'm telling you." He cast an eye along the classroom, everyone was paying attention, "Good. Now, it's really important that you put these in the correct order. I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is if batwings get put in before the graphorn powder. Okay?" The classroom nodded. They preceded, each student coming up and retrieving their ingredients. As he moved around the classroom he kept an ever watchful eye on his students and was comforted to know that Severus was also watching over them.
He was bent over Greg and Mary's desk to answer a question they had about the thickness of their potion. He was reassuring them that, yes, they had done a great job and it was coming along just-
"No! You idiot don't-!" Albus snapped to attention and quickly spotted what Severus was shouting about. The potion for Hailey and Pietro's potions was bubbling dangerously and even though he had his wand ready and was already casting a containment charm a large bubble boiled over and popped with a sickening sound. It hit Hailey on her arms and she started screaming instantly. The room broke out into a confusing roar as Albus rushed to Hailey's side. Severus was shouting for Olga, the closest student to the medical cabinet to get a small clear vial of lotion.
"Spread it over the burns, Potter, quickly!" Albus used the entire vial on her rubbing the lotion into her arms quickly but gently. Soon as the lotion hit her Hailey quieted but she still whimpered in pain.
Albus soothed her, "Don't worry, we got it, it's going to be okay." Madam Pomfrey rushed into the room and Albus knew that Severus was to thank for her immediate entrance to the classroom; even if he couldn't quite figure out how he had done it without leaving the room.
"Everyone!" Madam Pomfrey called over the overwhelming din of the room, "Everyone! Please go back to your common rooms. You are excused from the rest of your classes." She put a comforting hand on Albus' arm before her entire attention was focused on Hailey. "Oh, oh," she said softly. She ran her fingers over the burns and made soft sounds, her wand was busily marking down each wound and cataloging what needed to be treated. "You're going to be okay," Hailey gave her a watery smile. "Professors Potter and Snape were quick, no permanent damage. Come on, let's get you to the hospital wing so you can rest and we'll wrap this up to prevent infection."
Albus stood there not knowing what to do but Hailey figured it out for him. She grabbed his wrist, "Please come with me Professor Potter." He nodded and put an arm around her.
~*~
Albus didn't know what to do with himself. Potions had been canceled for the rest of the day, surprisingly to everyone’s disappointment. He was slumped over the desk in his chambers, there was a piece of parchment crinkled underneath him. He had let this happen. He knew it. With his drive to make potions a fun class, to change the students opinion; he had been lax in safety. A snort brought him out of his personal pity party. Severus was standing in his portrait, arms crossed, shaking his head.
"What do you want?" he glared.
"One student gets hurt and you're ready to throw in the towel?" He gestured to Albus' attempt to write his resignation.
Albus glared harder, "How many students did you get hurt?" he snapped.
"None, but I treated my students like the idiots they weren't and never allowed them a challenge. You should see Slughorn's roster of hurt students. I'm sure there is a folders worth. And that last idiot they had in here almost killed a whole first year class because he couldn't remember that lacewings and toads breath is lethal." It didn't make Albus feel any better to know there were bigger idiots than himself.
Albus looked up at Severus, "If you hadn't been there..."
"Don't think about that. I was, and I'll be there again." Now those words comforted him. Anything else Severus was going to say was interrupted by a knock on his chamber doors. He glanced at the door for a moment but when he looked back Severus was gone.
"Come on in," he called. Scorpius and Rose came into his chambers. "Rose, what are you doing here?"
Rose frowned before grabbing him in a hug. "Malfoy called me. Are you okay?"
Albus shot Scorpius a glare, "I'm fine, Rose. It's Hailey I'm worried about."
Rose waved her hand dismissively, "She's already out of the infirmary and complaining that they canceled potions for tomorrow. She wants to prove she isn't an idiot."
"You talked to her?"
"I'm friends with Jenna Keene, Hailey's mother. I've known her since she was a little girl. Stop changing the subject. How are you?" Albus sighed, his cousin wouldn't be satisfied until he gave her an answer. They spent a half-hour dragging the story out of Albus and when it was finished Rose looked satisfied. "It'll be okay, Al. The students love you. Don't let this bring you down. You're the best potions professor this school has had." Albus would disagree. The best was the man who had saved Hailey from a lifetime of permanent damage. "I have to go, but I'll see you at spring hols." She kissed his cheek and gave Scorpius a friendly nod. They were improving as the years went by. Albus suspected that by the time they were old and gray they would admit they were friends.
With just the two of them Albus felt relaxed for the first time since his day had taken a drastic turn. "What's this?" Scorpius lifted the blank piece of parchment off Albus' desk. By the glare Scorpius was aware what Albus had planned on writing. "You're gonna give up? Over one incident."
Albus scoffed, "I almost scarred a student."
"No," Scorpius cut him off. "That student almost scarred herself. McGonagall talked to the students in class. You made it very clear that the ingredients needed to be in a certain order. Keene wasn't paying attention, she even said she wasn't paying attention. She'd been talking to her partner. So neither of them were paying attention. It was certainly not your fault."
"I let them think it was okay! I've been a terrible professor! Trying to be their friends instead of their mentor." Albus shouted, his face turning red.
Scorpius scoffed, "You've been a terrible professor? Students look more forward to your class than they do lunch. Don't you get that?" Albus waved his hand angrily and had something to say to that but Scorpius halted the words in his throat when he took the few steps to bring himself in front of Albus. He wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close. "You're an idiot, Albus Severus Potter." Albus' arms came around Scorpius and he hugged him back just as tight. "If you quit now, after all of this. After giving up those job offers, after making a difference in the students' lives." He shook his head, "You'd be an idiot."
Albus laughed, "Thanks. I think I needed to hear that." Scorpius cuffed him on his shoulder before dragging him over to the couch.
"I'll tell you whenever you need it." They fell into a comfortable conversation but Albus couldn't let his mind drift too far from how disastrous the day could have turned.
~*~
When Albus finally got Scorpius to leave with the promise that he wouldn't get drunk by himself if the need came and that yes, he knew that Scorpius was only a few floors away. He was able to resume his private pity party. His shoulders fell and chin tucked against his chest. Sorry excuse, he thought. He scrubbed at his face but snatched it away when he caught a faint scent of the cream he had to pour over the burns Hailey suffered from. Tears stung at his eyes again and with no one around he finally let them fall. He put his head down and did not care as he quickly soaked his robe.
"Please, Potter." Albus jerked around, Severus was sitting arms in the wingback. "This sulking is ridiculous."
Albus felt his face flame with anger. "Stay out of this you greasy git!" Though Severus rolled his eyes and looked amused Albus instantly felt guilty. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't-"
Severus held up his hand, "Don't, Potter. Go over to that bureau in the last drawer you'll find a false bottom. Tap your wand twice on it." Albus quirked his brow but did as he was told. He lifted the piece of wood away.
"Wait a minute. Why didn't I ever..." Albus glanced at Severus. "You glamored these chambers! How many other nooks and crannies am I missing?" He had always thought the tiny teachers quarters were smaller than his mates.
Severus smirked but didn't answer. "Take a look, Albus." His fingers stilled over the safely tucked away bottle. Severus had never called him that. Potter, Another Weasley, and a dozen other things, but never Albus. He looked at the beautiful glass bottle; it was expensive a dark brown with a single label placed on it. He picked it up and thought that it would have been...picturesque if there had been dust to brush away.
"Hope..." He said softly. There was a date 1981. "What is this?" Albus took another look in the drawer but all there was were two tumblers, also dark brown glass. He removed both of them.
Severus leaned back in his chair and Albus noticed he had his own bottle of firewhiskey on the table next to him. He could only imagine what sort of spirit Severus could get his hands on in this ancient castle. "I used to take risks, too, Albus. Trust me, fool-hardy jump first ask questions later is not an exclusive trait for Gryfindors." Albus laughed, how he knew that to be true. Rose and Scorpius were the prank masterminds. Not Albus, he would swear.
Still grinning he set the old bottle down and ran his fingers over the wax sealed stopper. "Are you saying, Severus, that you brewed this fine whiskey yourself?" Albus was even more reluctant to break the seal now. This had been made and bottled with intentions. Someone as notoriously bad-tempered and ill-mannered as Severus Snape didn't hide away something of his own creation for over four decades. Then just...present it to someone he barely tolerated.
"I brewed it the summer I finished school, let it age for two years and then bottled it. With a friend."
"No you couldn't have," Albus laughed.
Severus glared, "Regardless what they say Potions has always been my favorite. And distilling alcohol isn't much different."
"But why?"
He shrugged, "because we could."
"We?" Albus ventured carefully. It didn't take much for Severus Snape to clamp up.
The former-Professor took his time pouring himself a full tumbler of whiskey, he lifted the glass took a deep breath and sipped gently. He barely showed it but the liquor burned down his throat and Albus really wondered what the age and year were. "Allow me to tell you a story." Albus sat forward in his chair. "A long time ago two young wizards went to this school. One was reserved, disagreeable, general git to the populace; the other quiet, shy, private, but oh, so many friends. Good friends, loyal. Now, their paths, they never should have crossed, or at least, would not have crossed if not for a lifted bottle of firewhiskey and a midnight stroll to the Astronomy Tower." Severus paused and took another sip of his drink, a longer one this time. "Astoundingly, they had much in common. The shy wizard, we'll call him Moony, was brilliant and a step up from the dunderheads...we'll call the git-"
"How about we call him Severus?" Albus supplied helpfully. He expected Severus to glare but he only looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Moony said something similar. We were such adversaries, for no reason other than his friends; they were-" Severus stopped himself. "In the end they meant nothing when it came to what we shared," Severus rushed through the sentence and Albus wondered for a moment what half of the story he was missing. "They came to trust each other. Shared everything with each other. Moony revealed his most sacred secret and Seve- I, too, shared things I never thought I would." His hand drifted over his left forearm. Albus stifled the barrage of questions that hit him with the gesture. "Right after school we had a flat together and Moony had a mischievous streak a mile wide. We brewed that and took it to the shores of Ireland; we had grand plans of coming back for it once it had aged to be proper Scotch Whiskey."
Albus felt tears prick his eyes again. It wasn't hard to figure out where this was going. He knew his history well and if the liquor was brewed in '78 and bottled in '81; a year after the end of the first war. He forced himself to keep it together, he wasn't even drinking, damn it. And Severus had already finished his second glass, was half-way on his third. "Don't blubber," Severus rolled his eyes. "Moony didn't die," He read Albus' mind. "It was worse," he muttered. "Stupid idiot mistakes, fights and ultimately betrayals. Things spiraled so quickly out of control and before either of us knew it we were complete enemies and there wasn't a thing that would bridge the gap again."
They sat in silence; Albus thinking over Severus' story wondering why the man had decided tonight to share it with him. Severus drank quietly, his eyes focused on the immaculate bottle sitting on the desk. Albus looked between Severus and the bottle, "If you want, I'll put it back."
Severus' eyes softened, "My boy, if I hadn't wanted you to have it I would never have told you where it was." He paused, then nodded to himself. "That bottle, it was suppose to be drank with someone I love," Albus damned his sensitive emotions that he would tear up at the use of present tense. "Hope," he said quietly, "It was to represent the day that our differences no longer mattered; represent our final step to happiness. That day never happened, Albus. We grew old and missed our chance several times. Let the naivete of childhood, the betrayal of growing up and a part stop us." Severus took another long drink of his firewhiskey. He thought the former-Professor was well past drunk; Albus hoped he didn't regret sharing with him come morning and sobriety. "I need you to take that bottle," Severus continued, voice still soft and steady. "Drink it with the man you love, toast to hope and happiness. And don't let anything or one stand in the way."
Albus throat burned and he looked away. "Thought you said it was a fool's errand."
"The only fool in this room is myself." Severus set his tumbler down and pushed it away. He stood gracefully, without a wobble to his knees and Albus thought maybe he underestimated his namesakes tolerance. "You'll take it under consideration?" Severus stared down his long, crooked nose at Albus; daring him to say anything other than, "Of course," Albus nodded.
He picked up the tumblers and tucked them into his robes before picking up the firewhiskey and cradled it carefully in his hands. He heard Severus mumble, "Damnable Gryffindors," before walking away. Not without a fond smile for Albus; he was starting to think the past four months weren't as wasted as he thought before. He had been able to wear down the ridged man. Looking at the whiskey he knew it had been worth it; learning what he had. With confidence he hadn't felt in some time in his step he headed toward the Ravenclaw Tower.
~*~
Courage be damned once there, outside Scorpius' rooms he didn't know what to do. He brought his hand up to knock but withdrew it before he could do the task; he cursed himself. Severus would not have sent him on a dead end run, the old man had seen something to warrant sharing the long kept secret with Albus. He went to knock again, dead set on completing this time when the rich oak door swung open on its own accord.
"How long do you plan to stand there, mate?" Scorpius chuckled, leaning against the stone doorway. His eyes settled on the bottle in Albus hands. "Well, at least you took that suggestion."
Albus grinned, "You were adamant that I not drink alone. Though I wouldn't have; Severus was keeping me company." Scorpius rolled his eyes. Albus and Snape's company was usually spent with good-nature but insulting banter. "We had a pleasant conversation. If he hadn't..." Albus shook his head. He didn't want to think about Hailey at the moment.
Scorpius stepped back and let Albus come into his chambers; he shut the door softly behind them. Albus set the bottle down and took out the tumblers. Scorpius inspected the brew and gave Albus a peculiar look when he saw the handmade label and year it was bottled. "Pray tell, Albus. Where did you get home brewed post-war one firewhiskey?"
Albus chuckled, he knew his sensitive palate friend would appreciate the firewhiskey. "A friend," he answered cryptically.
But his friend was sharp, "Did Snape share this with you?" He laughed outright at Scorpius' shock.
He cracked the wax seal and poured them each a healthy amount into the tumblers. Carefully he set the bottle down and picked up both tumblers and handed one over to Scorpius. "Yes," he smiled at his friend, "Severus gave it to me."
Scorpius raised one eyebrow, "How exactly did he do that?"
"Told me where to find it. Can you believe this has been sitting in the bottom of a bureau for fifty years?" Scorpius' eyes went wide. "Yeah, I know."
They took seats on the couch and Scorpius leaned back, tumbler in hand. "So, what are we celebrating? Earlier you were ready to throw in your resignation."
Albus swallowed thickly, he hadn't thought this through, he didn't have anything to say. "I was being dramatic earlier."
"Then I'll propose a toast." Scorpius raised his glass and Albus mimicked, "To good professors, and better friends. There hasn't been a potions class looked more forward to in a century." Albus' cheeks heated. Dumbledore took every opportunity to tell him what the students said about him; even every awkward crush. Hearing Scorpius though warmed him and he could feel his heart racing faster.
"And to the best charms professor, also," They clinked glasses and took sips. Albus didn't have the chance often to taste exquiste liquors, but this brew was the smoothest he had.
"Fantastic," he muttered. He hadn't expected anything less from the crotchety old man.
Scorpius nodded his agreement and took another sip. "Albus," Scorpius set his glass down, "what are you doing here?"
"I can't share fine whiskey with my best friend?" He chuckled but even to himself it sounded forced, if not a little hysterical.
Rolling his eyes he took Albus' glass as well and set it beside his own. "And I thank you, but I know you Allie." Scorpius leaned forward and looked Albus in the eye. "You're so nervous I could mistake you for that old house elf that works in the kitchens. What's going on?" he took Albus' hand.
"You know," he blurted out, not thinking about what was going to come out of his mouth, "there is a story behind this bottle of firewhiskey." Scorpius quirked his brow and motioned for Albus to continue. "The-the two who brewed it together, they were going to be the ones who drank. They had these...magical dreams of what they were going to do after the war. Hope, it was supposed to be what they were working toward. They never got there. They let things build and die between them and when every opportunity came to change it; they did nothing." Albus sucked in breath and picked up his glass throwing the burning amber down his throat. When he looked at Scorpius he looked...
He looked amused. "What are you smiling about?" Albus demanded, his cheeks heating. It wasn't easy trying (failing) to pour his heart out. Scorpius leaned closer and cupped Albus' cheek with one hand, the other fell on his waist. "What?" he mumbled before his lips were captured. It was soft, closed mouth. The gentlest of movement against their lips and when they pulled away Scorpius was smiling. Albus wasn't sure what his look said, it must not have been good.
"What?" he stuttered again.
"Y'know, Albus Potter, I've waited two years for you to make a move..." Now Scorpius looked nervous and he was pulling away. Albus wasn't having that.
He twisted his fingers in Scorpius' robe and kept him in place. "Two years?" Scorpius blushed. "Why didn't you...?"
"I could ask the same thing." Albus breathed out a laugh, then. "What would your favorite professor say?" Scorpius slipped the hand that had strayed briefly from his waist around to rest on his lower back.
"'Dunderheads'," Albus mimicked in his best Severus impression. Scorpius nodded. It was a fine word to describe them.