10 August 2010 @ 04:36 pm
HP: The Potions King (Albus Severus/Scorpius, PG)  
Title: The Potions King
Author: [info]sdk
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Albus Severus/Scorpius pre-slash
Rating: PG
Genre: Frienship
Length/Word Count: Drabble (gone wild), 100x10
Warnings: Completely tame. Isn't that a warning?
Summary: Scorpius is supposed to be better at Potions. That is the natural order of things.
Notes: Written for [info]hp_nextgen100's prompt burned and also for the prequel, sequel, remix challenge. Special thanks to [info]torino10154 for looking over this before posting. You rock, woman! I can't wait to see your prequel, sequel or remix. <3
Disclaimer: The following is based on fictional characters that I don't own doing fictional things in a fictional world that I didn't create. No copyright infringement intended, no money's being made.


The Potions King

“Bollocks!” Scorpius hissed.

Professor Slughorn frowned.

Scorpius ignored him.

He might have been annoyed at his lack of self-control and embarrassing outburst if Scorpius wasn't already busy berating himself at the mess before him. He was quite sure the Draught of Peace was to be clear instead of this sludgy green slime. Worse, he'd burned through the bottom of his cauldron in the process, rendering it unusable.

Which meant another owl to his father. Which meant he'd failed to the live up to the Malfoy name, again.

“We may be evil villainous toadies, but we've excellent brewing skills!” Scorpius muttered.

~

Disappointing his father wasn't the worst thing, Scorpius thought as he trudged to a table in the library, determined to find out where he went wrong. It was Potter, that know-it-all snake who was Slughorn's pet and concocted every potion with grace and ease even while goofing off with his friends and distracting everyone else from their work.

Scorpius was supposed to be better at Potions. That was the natural order. Potter could catch all the Snitches he wanted (and cheat while he was at it, Scorpius suspected) but the classroom was where Scorpius shined.

Except in Potions, of course.

~

Which was why Scorpius was not pleased when the Potions King himself strode into the library and fell into the chair opposite with a lazy smile that made nearby girls titter. It did absolutely nothing for Scorpius. Potter's brand of arrogance was not at all attractive.

Potter reached into his bag and pulled out an apple.

Scorpius ignored him, focusing on his book.

Potter sunk his teeth into the juicy flesh and took a bite.

If Scorpius was forced to reread a paragraph, it was due to the trickiness of the subject, not because he was in any way distracted.

~

“How long are you going to ignore me?”

Scorpius barely hid his smirk in time. If there was one area he reigned supreme, it was his ability to bide his time. Patience was indeed a virtue. Especially when it annoyed messy-haired gits like Potter.

“Am I ignoring you? Whatever shall you do?” Scorpius flipped the page in his book, regardless that the next one had absolutely nothing to do with the Draught of Peace.

“You could let me help.”

At that, Scorpius couldn't help but scowl and he made the mistake of looking up.

Potter gave a dewy-lipped smile.

Bollocks.

~

Scorpius slipped away as Madam Pince lectured Potter on proper library etiquette, but since they shared a common room, he doubted he'd escape Potter's attentions for long. Just like clockwork, Potter came in and flopped on the couch next to him despite Scorpius' clear wish to be left alone with his Potions book.

“What do you care about Potions anyway? Everyone knows you're going into Experimental Charms. You're a natural.”

Scorpius felt a strange warmth at the compliment, but he quickly squashed it. He would not be so easily charmed like the rest of the school.

“I doubt you'd understand.”

~

He wouldn't let himself look, but Scorpius felt Potter's gaze intensify; he fought not to shift under the scrutiny.

“Try me.”

Scorpius' eyes were dragged upwards without his consent. Seeing Potter focused solely on him made Scorpius feel...funny.

“You know who my father is?”

“Draco Malfoy.”

“He also goes by 'Greatest Potions Master since Severus Snape.'”

“Oh.” Potter said.

Scorpius allowed himself a moment to feel smug, but he noticed Potter's lips quirking and satisfaction was swept away with annoyance. If Potter dared laugh—but he didn't. He smiled, bitterly.

“I wouldn't understand trying to live up to a father's reputation?”

~

In the end, Potter appealed to Scorpius' sensibilities by pointing that Slytherins never wasted opportunities, and so the next day after classes Scorpius found himself working with him side by side, attempting to make a fresh batch of the Draught of Peace.

Potter had convinced Slughorn to allow Scorpius a make-up grade. Scorpius found he didn't mind Potter's charm so much when it was used for his benefit.

“Stir clockwise now, easy-like...yeah, just like that,” Potter murmured. Scorpius flushed with pride at Potter's approval. He actually wasn't a half-bad teacher, and without the stress of a full classroom, Scorpius was flourishing.

~

With two more steps, the potion would be complete and it looked like it would be success. Scorpius should be happy, but against all logic, he was dreading the end of their session.

"Why are you helping me?"

"Can't I just want to help you?"

“No. Unless you're secretly a Hufflepuff.”

Potter threw back his head and laughed. Scorpius cheeks went pink.

“Definitely not a Hufflepuff.”

“I can't believe you were sorted Slytherin—I mean, with your family-”

“A pack of lions? Yeah. They were surprised too. But I'll tell you a secret.”

Potter leaned close and licked his lips. Scorpius' pulse raced.

~

“Before I got to Hogwarts, my father told me the hat would give me a choice.” Al pitched his voice low as if sharing a trusted secret. And It dawned on Scorpius—perhaps he really was.

“That if it was leaning toward a house I didn't want, I could convince it to put me somewhere else.”

“You wanted to be in Slytherin?”

“No. I wanted to be in Gryffindor like the rest of my family. But...something changed my mind.”

Al's eyes sparkled—since when had he turned into Al anyway? But Scorpius couldn't help but feel he definitely wasn't 'Potter' any longer.

~

“Are you going to tell me?”

“Maybe. Can I keep tutoring you?”

Scorpius sensed there was an unknown motivation driving Al's offer, but he was intrigued. If he said yes, there would be time to find out.

And Scorpius wanted to find out.

“Yes.” Scorpius held out his hand and Al grasped it firmly. “It's a deal.”

“I'll tell you next time.”

Scorpius lips mirrored Al's smile; it wasn't until he noticed the potion bubbling over that he realised he was still holding Al's hand.

“Bollocks,” Scorpius cursed, still smiling.

Al grinned. “Guess we'll have to start all over again.”



-Fin-



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Keeper of the Cocks: Harry_Draco_hbp[info]torino10154 on August 10th, 2010 09:19 pm (UTC)
Oh, I love this! Poor Scorpius trying to best Al and failing, both boys being in the shadow of their fathers, Al all sex-ay and confident. Very nicely done. *wonders what to do to fuck it up* ;)
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쉘리 I whip my hair like Bang Bang: [e] :DDD - alias[info]sdk on August 18th, 2010 06:31 pm (UTC)
Thank you, hon! :DDDD And you did an excellent job fucking it up! :P (If by fucking it up, you mean making it mrow racy. *g*)
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red_day_dawning[info]red_day_dawning on August 11th, 2010 06:28 am (UTC)
Aww, this is sweet, but not light with all the undercurrents of the boys' motivations. Lovely.
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쉘리 I whip my hair like Bang Bang: [e] :DDD - ron & seamus[info]sdk on August 18th, 2010 06:32 pm (UTC)
Thank you so much! :D
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[info]hpfangirl71 on August 11th, 2010 06:19 pm (UTC)
I have a feeling that a certain sexy blonde might have swayed Al towards Slytherin house... *hint hint ladies*
Great story!! Cant wait to see more...
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쉘리 I whip my hair like Bang Bang: [e] :DDD - ron & seamus[info]sdk on August 18th, 2010 06:33 pm (UTC)
That was definitely the case! ;) [info]torino10154 read my mind with that, too. I didn't even tell her that's what I had initially planned. :D

Thanks for reading!
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fancypantsdylan: Albus & Scorpius[info]fancypantsdylan on August 18th, 2010 07:14 am (UTC)
This was adorable, loved how Scorpius went from despising to liking Al, the ending just brilliant.
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쉘리 I whip my hair like Bang Bang: [e] :DDD twins[info]sdk on August 18th, 2010 06:33 pm (UTC)
Thank you, hon! :DDD
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