Dec 17, Harry Potter, Teddy/Scorpius, Onwards and Upwards Title: Onwards and Upwards Author:sansa1970 Fandom: Harry Potter Pairing: Teddy/Scorpius Rating: PG Words: 296 A/N: Links to previous parts: 1 ll 2 ll 3 ll 4 ll 5 ll 6 ll 7 ll 8 ll 9 ll 10 ll 11 ll 12 ll 13 ll 14 ll 15 ll 16
Hugo, the sphere said.
Teddy studied it for several minutes before retreating to the safety of mindless paperwork. He'd expected Hugo's before Al's; Scorpius always deferred the most difficult tasks. Not that this conversation would prove easy.
Hugo's protective gestures had the edge of something more serious, and in the grand tradition that plagued their little group, Teddy had ignored the implication, wary of even one more spoonful of unrequited love.
The realization that his insensitivity likely rivaled Al's sent him trudging back to the living room, a bottle of fortifying whisky under his arm. He hugged it like an old friend as he activated the globe.
Hugo employed less profanity, as was his nature, but more reproach, for which he was genetically wired. His cold voice carried over the off-key singing of at least a dozen Weasley children. "It took you long enough, you prat."
"I realize—oh, fuck you, Hugo. You might've said something. It's not as though you've ever held your tongue in the past."
"This was different. And it was Al's place to put things right."
Scorpius' next words were lost under a chorus of It's a Kneazle Christmas. Teddy took a swig from his bottle.
"You're way off the mark," Hugo was saying when the singing died down. "He's a friend. The best I've got. Nothing more."
Relief made Teddy fumble the whisky. The tipped bottle poured a lake of amber liquid across the table, and the nutcracker began to splash happily.
"The best you've got?" Teddy knew that voice; Scorpius was pouting.
"Warped and self-centred, the lot of you. Fine, one of the best then. Now get out of my house and go make this right."
The orb disappeared with a pop. Giddy, Teddy poured more whisky for the nutcracker.