#altober2020

[micheleblack]

Candle Scandal

Father,

Hogwarts is fantastic! I’ve been sorted into Slytherin and have already become friends with another of the new Slytherin boys. Unfortunately he seems to find our dorm room dark and scary. I know it’s asking a lot, but could you send candles and the device you gave me when I was still scared of the dark?

Scorpius

~

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

It has come to the attention of individuals within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement that a dark artefact was recently smuggled into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The severity of this breach requires an immediate search of your residence and a disciplinary hearing in front of the Wizengamot. However, due to spirited testimony from the recipient of the dark artefact, a finding of no ill intentions has been reached for your role. Consider this a formal warning. Please refrain from breaking the law in the future.

P.S. I have sent my son a nightlight, so he will no longer require the Hand of Glory. Unfortunately I am unable to return dark artefacts, so it will remain in the Ministry’s possession.

Have a nice day.

Yours sincerely,

Harry Potter

Head Auror Auror Office Ministry of Magic

~

Scorpius,

Next time you request a dark artefact for another student, please inform me ahead of time if that student is the son of the Head Auror.

Draco

____

Day 4: Candles

WeakRevolution’s take on the #altober day four prompt - Candles! I thought this one was pretty funny. We are loving everyone’s reactions and votes so please keep them coming!

@clemandben​ @altobers-blog

[minervasprout]

An Albus Sandwich

@altobers-blog this is my drawing for day one hugs, just a tad late hahaha but you know how it is! <3 

My main is @motherofmercury 

[altobers-blog]

A Candle For Astoria

Albus watches his husband light the last candle.

The light flickers gently in the night-time shadows of the church and Scorpius sits, straight backed in contemplation. It’s been many years since Astoria died but time hasn’t lessened his grief. This is his ritual; a small remembrance for a mother by her son.

“I only wish the pair of you could have met,” Scorpius says, his eyes never leaving the flame. “I should have liked for you to know her.”

Albus puts his hand over Scorpius’s and holds it tightly. “I do know her,” he replies. “Through the memories you’ve shared.”

[micheleblack]

Scorpius: Hey Al?

Albus: Yeah?

Scorpius: Do I give good hugs?

*Al looks up from his fourth year homework*

Albus: Uh, yeah. Of course you do! Why would you think otherwise?

Scorpius: Well, Montague said that Rose heard that my parents didn't hug me enough as a child and thus I don't-

Albus: Those bloody idiots know nothing!

Scorpius: *still distraught* And then you said snakes don't hug - 'they sssssssnuggle'-

Albus: That's because that's the Parseltongue translation Scorp - not a slight on our house!

Scorpius: Oh.

Scorpius: So I do give good hugs?

Albus: The best. Because they're from you.

_____

My beta and I decided to participate in @motherofmercury and @eleonorapoe's altober-fest. This is my entry - I will be posting my beta's separately. Your notes will vote on the 'best-take' each day.

[micheleblack]

“Potions is an art," Professor Slughorn began, "and all arts continue to advance over time. There were many potions thought to be impossible, but some of us see that as a challenge. The Elixir of Life was the first. Felix Felicis came after. Yet there still remains one elusive potion. Can anyone tell me what it is?

Albus raised his hand confidently. "The perfect love potion, sir."

"Correct, five points to Slytherin." With a wave of his wand, the board behind Slughorn revealed the details of their assignment for the day. "Amortentia is the closest we've been able to come to replicating love, and yet it's still so far from the real thing. Don't forget your protective gear on this one. Now, start brewing."

---

"Shit, what could we have done wrong?" Albus was practically pulling out his hair over their cauldron. It had been going so well.

"I mean it kind of looks all right," Scorpius encouraged. 

Albus glanced down into the cauldron. The sheen was just right, but there was no steam. No steam meant no Amortentia. No Amortentia meant he'd failed a brew for the first time. There was one last thing he had to test. Glancing up to make sure Slughorn was distracted, Albus removed his nose covering and smelled the air. Nothing... 

"Albus!" Scorpius warned. "You'll get overwhelmed by—" 

"Relax, Scorp. It doesn't have a smell." Albus let out a defeated sigh. 

Tentatively Scorpius raised his own mask, took a quick sniff, and swiftly replaced his mask. "Wow, you're right," he agreed, removing his mask completely and setting it beside Albus's on their workbench. He shuffled over and put a hand on Albus's shoulder, knowing what his potion brewing skills meant to him.

"Boys! What are you doing?" Slughorn raced his portly body over to their area. "Put your masks on. This room is filled with Amortentia vapor." 

Albus looked up in confusion. "I can't smell anything, Professor. I mean, besides Scorp's cologne"—he gestured towards his best friend standing right beside him—"but that's normal."

"Actually, Al, I stopped wearing my cologne because you said it was distracting you."

"Huh?" Albus turned to Scorpius. “You didn’t have to do that. I didn’t mind it, honest”

Slughorn had a perplexed look on his face as he turned to Scorpius. "Mr. Malfoy, do you smell anything?" 

"Nothing, I swear! Well, okay I guess I can smell the coconut from Al's moisturizer, but he always gets self-conscious when I mention it."

"Scorp..." Albus's voice sounded shaky. "I swapped to an unscented moisturizer a while back." The two boys stared at each other. 

Slughorn leaned over their cauldron, inspecting their potion. "Now what have you two managed to brew here?"

___

altober Day 28: Love Potion 

How adorable is WeakRevolution’s take?

@altobers-blog @clemandben @eleonorapoe

[micheleblack]

Albus: Wait. Hold up. So you’re telling me-

Scorpius: Yes.

Albus: That Godric’s Hollow-

Scorpius: YES.

Albus: Is named after Godric Gryffindor?

Scorpius: Honestly, I love you, but sometimes you’re so thic-

Albus: With two ‘cc’s.

Harry: Uh boys? I don’t care, but I don't particularly want to hear it over breakfast.

Albus: *blushing* Sorry.

Harry: -and it’s okay. I didn’t put the connection together either. Ask your Aunt Hermione sometime.

Scorpius: Aw- like father like son! Isn’t it great Albus?!

James: *spits out his tea*

____

#altober Day 6: Godric's Hollow - was a bit of a challenge but I love how it turned out. What do you think?

[micheleblack]

"Scorp!" Albus moaned. "You really need to stop teasing me like this. At least wait until we get back to our bed.

Ignoring his words completely, Scorpius continued to kiss up Albus's neck. "No one is here right now, Al. We have the Common Room all to ourselves. Why waste it? I've always wanted to fuck you into this couch."

Albus shuddered at Scorpius's words. So close to giving in, but he couldn't. "The portraits... they are watching us."

"Let them," Scorpius growled into his ear before slipping a hand down Albus's back.

"Okay," he squeaked. The last coherent word he managed before long pale fingers found his hole.

Meanwhile, outside the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, a crowd was gathering. "It's been three fucking hours," James complained, glaring at the empty canvas. "Where the fuck could she be?"

___

altober Day 29: Common Room

WeakRevolution’s take. So scandalous. ;)

@altobers-blog @clemandben @eleonorapoe

[micheleblack]

Ginny: Where’s your brother?

James: He’s up in his room with Scorpius.

Ginny: What are they doing up there?

James: How should I know? Probably polishing Scorpius’s broomstick.

Ginny: *heads towards Al’s room* That door better not be closed, Albus!

[inside Al’s room]

Albus: Shit, my mom’s coming!

Scorpius: What should we do?

Albus: Here, take your broom while I hide the Chudley Cannons merch.

[micheleblack]

Dear Father,

I hope you and mother are doing well. I believe Albus has had a falling out with the rest of the Potter family. I’ve yet to confront him about it, but he’s already renounced his house name. See the included note from him as proof.

“Scorp, meet me in Hogsmeade tomorrow – Al oooo”

Since he can’t possibly return to his former residence, can he stay at the Manor during break?

Your son and heir, 

Scorpius 

~

Drop the formal act, Scorpius. Albus has not abandoned his Potter name, not yet at least. It’s a muggle tradition to put ‘x’s and ‘o’s at the end of letters. They stand for hugs and kisses. You got all hugs. –Draco 

~

Father, the missing kisses have been located. Albus remains a Potter, but can he still come over the Manor during break? 

____________ My beta and I decided to participate in @motherofmercury  and @eleonorapoe altober-fest. This is WeakRevolution’s entry for day one - I will post up my own separately. Your notes will vote on the 'best-take' each day.

We’re excited :D

[micheleblack]

“Are you trying to sweet talk me?” Scorpius asks.

“Of course,” Albus replies. “I’m not ready to give up those two Mounds of yours.”

“Well, I’m quite fond of your Butterfingers myself.”

“Oh, stop it, you, or this will end the Milky Way.”

Albus and Scorpius dissolve into giggles.

“Aww,” James teases, “aren’t you too just the sweetest? I think it’s giving me diabetes.”

“Ignore him, Scorp,” Albus says. “He’s just sour because he doesn’t have a sweetheart.”

James makes eye contact with Teddy in the corner and Snickers.

____

WeakRevoluation’s #altober Day 10: Sweets! is sweet enough to eat!! :nom!:

@altobers-blog @clemandben @eleonorapoe

[micheleblack]

*Realtor takes Teddy and James to look at places*

James: This place is pretty perfect! I love the new windows, the spacious kitchen - and it’s on the Floo network!

Teddy: It is pretty great - why is it priced so low?

Realtor: Well, you didn’t hear this from me, but they say a witch cursed this place 300 years ago.

Teddy: Oh. That’s all?

**Later on**

James: So, you really think we should make a bid on it?

Teddy: I don’t see why not? Like you said - it is pretty perfect.

James: But what about - you know - the curse?

Teddy: You don’t really believe that do you?

James:

Teddy: Neither of us felt any dark magic. Let’s be honest. It was probably some old witch who cursed “fuck this house” when she had to leave.

James:

James: So. When do we move in?

____

#altober Day 5: Cursed

My entry for day 5 - would you move in?

@clemandben

@altobers-blog

[micheleblack]

Harry: Hey, Al - I know you and Scorpius wanted some time alone this summer so I tried to get you a reservation at the library like you asked.

Albus: Oh no. Don’t say it.

Harry: But they were all booked.

Albus: You said it.

Harry: So I did the next best thing.

Albus: Dare I even ask?

Harry: I asked Draco if you could spend a week at the manor.

Albus: I take back everything I ever said.

[micheleblack]

Contrary to popular belief Albus did not meet Scorpius on the Hogwarts Express his first year.

Instead he'd sat in a cabin with his brother James and his friends, quietly in the corner. He would be lying if he hadn’t been nervous, he was always the quiet one compared to his brother and he worried about making friends, sleeping away from his room, *sharing* a dorm - not that he couldn't handle it but it had felt like a lot all at once.

The feeling only got worse after the hat declared him "Slytherin."

Al had walked over to the table, determined not to let anyone see his disappointment. He’d felt like he didn't do a great job. 

That night he laid in his new four poster bed, surrounded by his favorite colored curtains, and tried not to cry. Big boys didn't cry - and they certainly didn't cry when they didn't know silencing spells yet. So instead he tore apart his lip with worry and fought back tears that burned the corners of his eyes. 

He felt like he didn't sleep at all that first night. 

He was jolted out of his skin the next morning by a loud cheery voice. 

"Wakey, wakey! Eggs and bakey!" A blond head stuck itself between Al's curtains. "You're the last one up, sleepy head."

Al nearly laughed at the floating head looking in at him. And he would have too if he wasn't so surprised. "Huh?"

"C'mon! To breakfast! We can't be late to our first day of classes!" The boy sounded so cheerful as he disappeared back through the curtains. Al rolled out of bed and grabbed his nearest robes. Pulling them on he introduced himself.  

"I know, silly," the blond replied, "we all introduced ourselves last night. I'm Scorpius, if you don't remember."

Al vaguely remembered but he'd been too anxious to pay attention while the rest of his dormmates had introduced themselves. "Sorry. I'm just not very good at meeting new people," Al said, trying not to feel too self-conscious. 

"Good thing I'm not a new person anymore," Scorpius replied without hesitation, grabbing his books. "Now, down to breakfast?"

They spent their first breakfast eating an entire platter of pancakes - Scorpius had about twenty and he forced Al to eat two.

It was the first of many breakfasts.

And when Albus rode the Hogwarts express at the start of his second year Scorpius wasted no time pulling him into a different cabin from James.

______

#altober Day 14: Hogwarts Express

For my entry I wanted to imagine what it they hadn’t met on the train - and serve up some wholesome young Scorbus in the process 💚🤍💚

@altobers-blog @clemandben @eleonorapoe

[micheleblack]

“You’re my best friend now,” Scorpius had proclaimed loudly on the Hogwarts Express their first year.

They’d barely known each other for ten minutes. They hadn’t even been sorted yet. But somehow Scorpius had proclaimed it and thus it was written. Even when Al was quiet and Scorpius wasn’t. Even when their families bristled against it. Even when they fought (which was rarely). Al came to rely on one undeniable fact of life: Scorpius was his best friend. 

“What you thinking about?” Scorpius asked, sliding in next to him at the dinner table, his tie half undone and his hair wild.

Al blinked. 

“Huh? Oh nothing,” Al answered, reaching for a chai muffin. 

“Liar,” Scorpius laughed. “You don’t even like chai muffins for breakfast.”

“Maybe I changed my mind,” Al said, looking down at the offending muffin with a small frown. 

“You did not, you wanker!” Scorpius laughed. “Now are you going to tell me what you were thinking about?”

“Nope,” Al said. 

“Not even if I ask really, really nicely?”

Al laughed. “You know you’re my best friend, right?”

Scorpius paused looking at Al bewildered. “Of course. Who else would put up with you?”

Al smiled.

______

#altober Day 20: Friendship

For my take, I, much like Al, do not care for chai. :don’t hate me!:

@altobers-blog @clemandben @eleonorapoe

[micheleblack]

Five candles stood in a circle at the center of the table. Lily waved her hand and they all lit at once.

It was all very dramatic. 

“You may now all join hands,” she announced, reaching out an arm towards Rose, who reached out towards Hugo, who connected with James, who grabbed Teddy’s hand and suddenly the circle was formed. 

Well, almost.

Al crossed his arms in front of himself.

“Hey,” Scorpius hissed beside him, “you’re breaking the chain.”

“This is stupid,” he retorted, rolling his eyes but reaching his hand out anyway - like he could ever resist holding Scorpius’ hand.

Their palms pressed together just like they did across beds in their dorm at night when he was a firstie, and later on when they were older and learned that they liked holding each other’s hands-

“Ahem?” Lily called and gestured towards Al to take Teddy’s hand beside him. Teddy held it out expectantly, and he begrudgingly grabbed it.

“Alright, now that we’re all a solid circle,” Lily called, “you may be seated.”

“Oi! After we held hands?” James called out and Al fought back a laugh.

“Yes. Don’t let go!” Lily ordered and she watched as Hugo and James’ hands nearly separated. “We’re already generating energy - can’t you feel it?”

“She’s crazier than Aunt Luna,” Teddy whispered to James but Al heard it and grinned.

“I am not,” Lily grumbled. “And she’s not crazy either. Now SIT!”

Everyone sat.

“Now hold hands and close your eyes,” Lily demanded.

“Uh, Lils? We’re already holding hands,” James’ pointed out, lifting both of his high into the air - much to the chagrin of his partners on the other ends.

“Ugh - just do it,” Lily said.

Everyone - even Al - shut their eyes. And waited. And waited. Someone coughed. Then Lily started to hum.

Al snapped his eyes open. He watched his sister’s eyes roll back in her head over the candle light. She started chanting in a language he didn’t understand. It was creepy.

It didn’t take long for everyone else’s eyes to open - all of them watching Lily.

“Should we do some-” Al began, but at that moment the chanting stopped and all the candles burnt out as quickly as they had been lit. In the pitch black of the Grimmauld Place’s cellar, Al could smell the smoke as it wafted past his nose.

Suddenly there was a sound of a door creaking open. A cold chill ran down his spine. He nearly jumped but squeezed Scorpius’ hand instead, who held back with an equally death-like grip. The darkness was heavy, the cold oppressing, the creaking door reminding him of something out of a nightmare-

Lily’s voice narrated in chunks:

“I have made contact with the ghost of Walburga Black-” 

“No-no, I am being interrupted-”

“By one Sirius Black and associates.”

“Messrs Moony, Prongs, and er- one Misses Prongs.”

“Who send their regards, to haunt you for the REST OF YOUR DAYS!”

“The spirits also tell me that… Albus-”

She blinked and looked right at Al with a startled yet happy look on her face. He felt the blood drain from his face. Something, she knew something.

Suddenly a door slammed and the lights came on. Everyone in the circle jumped.

“There you kids are!” His mum and Aunt Hermione peered into the room. “We were looking for you - c’mon we just ordered pizza and you want it while it’s hot.”

Later on, between slices of cheese pizza, Lily dragged Al aside.

“When were you going to tell me you’re fucking Scorpius?”

Al blinked at her and rubbed his eyes. They weren’t fucking, at least not yet - they were waiting to take that step. But he still felt a little unnerved that she knew. Knew what he wanted to be doing more than anything in the world.

“Just let me say I told you so at the wedding.”

And approved!

The candle his mum had lit on the table behind her flickered out.

____

Day 4: Candles

This was my take on the #altober day four prompt - Candles. I thought of a seance nearly immediately and couldn’t resist.  Will be posting up WeakRevolution’s separately - we are loving everyone’s reactions and votes so please keep them coming!

@clemandben @altobers-blog

[micheleblack]

Wanker

Scorpius: Look what I found in my father's old school stuff.

*holds up The Complete List of Slytherin Insults and Comebacks to Outsmart Dumb Gryffindors by Draco Malfoy*

Scorpius: Father always has the best lines.

Albus: Is there anything I can use against James?

Scorpius: Let's see. *opens book to random glossary page* Any of these sound good? Wand, Wanker, War, Water, Weak, Weasley- maybe not that last one.

Albus: He does call Slytherins wankers all the time.

Scorpius: Wanker... page 413. 

*flips to that page* 

Scorpius: Wanker - When another student, almost certainly an unimaginative Gryffindor, refers to any Slytherin as a wanker, simply follow these steps:

1. Say "Do you need someone to show you how?" 2. If Potter he persists, stare him in the eyes and mime the universal wanking motion to make him uncomfortable. 3. In extreme cases, continue this motion and pretend to climax shouting, "Uh- uh- I'm CUNNING!"

*Scorpius and Al exchange haunted looks*

Scorpius: I think maybe I'll just put this back where I found it.

_____

WeakRevolution’s take on altober Day 15: Cunning is just that :D

@altobers-blog @clemandben @eleonorapoe