Gift for hp_nextgen_fest

Title: All the Magic in the World
Author: brixisxonfire
Recipient: hp_nextgen_fest
Pairing(s): Albus Severus/Scorpius
Rating: PG-13 (there may be some swearing?)
Warnings: Magical illness, and that's all really.
Summary: Scorpius has been sick all of his life, and his health takes a downward spiral just in time for him to fall in love.
Word Count: ~8000
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. The poem in this story is the work of Dylan Thomas. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's notes: I hope you all enjoy!


Scorpius awoke that morning in high spirits, in spite of the fact his whole body ached. It was September 1st, which meant he was going back to school. He hated to perpetuate the Ravenclaw swot stereotype, but he never had and never would deny his love of school or his thirst for knowledge. He'd never been up for Quidditch or other hijinks, but his family had an extensive library where his mother would read to him every day.

He loved learning and never dropped an opportunity to be taught something. He loved to argue and be proven wrong; the idea of going through life under false or mistaken impressions disgusted him and outweighed any kind of stubborn pride he might have. If he was wrong, he wanted somebody to tell him. School was where he thrived, and since he had enough time left to complete it, you could bet your bottom dollar that Scorpius Malfoy was getting on the Hogwarts Express at eleven o'clock.

Getting out of bed was slow-going, but Scorpius eventually made it out. Wrinkling his nose, he massaged his hips and tried to rub his lower back as he padded across the room to his chest of drawers where his uniform was already folded. That made less unnecessary movement for later. He'd packed his trunk the night before with the help of one of the family's many hired help. Some ten or twelve years ago, House-elves had been given the entitlement to pay and his father had outright refused to give his money to an elf. Subsequently, the family's elves were set free and replaced by humans, which Draco found hilarious. Actual people doing someone else's house work!

"Good morning!" Scorpius sang, leaning to kiss his mother's cheek. Both of his parents were already situated at their dining room table for breakfast when he got down there, which he'd expected.

"Good morning, darling boy," Astoria said, kissing her son's cheek. She gave him a tight smile. Scorpius knew she didn't want him to go back to school; she thought he was too sick.

"Good morning, son," Draco murmured, looking over the Daily Prophet. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine," Scorpius answered promptly, taking his seat on the opposite side of the table from his mother. He wrinkled his nose briefly at his eggs and toast, not finding either one particularly appetizing. He'd at least eat the toast, to avoid his mother insisting he stay home again, if for no other reason.

"Are you quite sure?" Astoria asked him, looking at him with the usual concern. "Nothing aches? Are you fevered?"

"No, no," he said, smiling at her cheerfully. "I'm great, actually. What time is it? Only nine-thirty? I can hardly wait to leave."

"I know," Astoria said quietly, watching him chew on his toast. "Are you absolutely certain you don't want to stay home, darling?"

"Yes," Scorpius said immediately, leaving no traces of any kind of doubt. "I know you're worried, but I'll be okay. If things get really bad, then I'll have to leave. But until that happens, I need to go, mum."

"Okay," she said, sounding defeated and looking like she wanted to cry. Scorpius knew it hurt her to have him away for nine out of the twelve predicted months. It hurt him, too. But it wasn't enough of a reason for him not to accomplish everything he could.

"Write us," Draco said firmly. "And I mean it. Do not over-do yourself; if you're too tired, stay in your bed, or go to the hospital wing."

"Yes, dad," Scorpius said, trying not to roll his eyes. He'd heard the spiel a hundred times and didn't need it turning into a full lecture.

His mother cried when he said goodbye to her on the platform, which broke his heart more than he let her see. "I love you," he assured Astoria, hugging her tight. He hugged his father next and told him the same. Draco wasn't crying, but he was noticeably unhappy with the situation.

The train sounded its warning whistle and Scorpius had to leave his parents with a heavy heart. He hoped his mother would be okay and that his father would help her not to be so sad in his absence. Life could be really unfair sometimes and she didn't deserve to hurt so much.

"Scorpius." He looked around to see who was calling him. He zeroed in on a redheaded girl looking over the shoulder of a tall, dark haired boy. He smiled at the girl, approaching her.

"Hi," he said, wiggling the fingers of his free hand.

"I didn't think you were coming back," she said, stepping around the boy. The boy turned around as well, looking curious. It was her brother, Albus.

"I told you I was," he said, shrugging. "My mum didn't want me to, but I couldn't bear the thought of just giving up on school."

"Yeah," she said, looking a little sadly at him. "Well, do you want to sit in our compartment with us?"

"No, but thank you." Scorpius shook his head, turning around a bit. "I'm going to sit with my cousin Lyra."

"Aw." She looked a little put-out. "Alright. I'll see you at the castle."

"See you." He waved again, nodding at Albus. Before he was out of ear shot, he heard a small conversation between the two siblings.

"Why wouldn't he come back to school?" Albus murmured.

"He's... dying."

~*~

The first few weeks of school went by as they usually did - too fast. Scorpius was positive that school made him feel less sick; it kept him active and, in his opinion, more healthy. A healthy mind, a healthy body. As healthy as his body could be, anyway. He didn't even mind that there were only two ways people looked at him - staring or not at all.

Scorpius didn't have many friends, which was a fact even before his months were numbered. He just wasn't a social person, and didn't talk a lot. He cared very much for the few friends he had, and that was okay with him. He certainly had never dated anybody, and had no plans to start. That would be too unfair of him to start something that had a foreseeable finish line; he didn't need a reason to be angry about the hand fate had dealt him.

"Mr. Malfoy, are you with us or are you on holiday?" professor Whitby asked, raising a dark eyebrow. Scorpius blushed and gave the potions master an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry, I'm with you," he muttered. "You were about to give us our pairs for the project?"

"Mhm," the professor hummed, giving Scorpius a dubious look and then returning to her desk. Scorpius half listened as she rattled off names, just keeping an ear open for his. It sounded like she was just going alphabetically, since there was an even number of students in the class. She started to try and guess the rest of the pairs. Malfoy and…

"… Potter," professor Whitby finished his thought for him. Scorpius waited until his classmates started moving around to get into pairs before he stood.

Albus was acting funny already, not looking him in the eyes. Scorpius could tell this wasn't going to be easy, working together. He probably made Albus uncomfortable and made him think about death more than the boy cared to.

"Do you think we'll be the first to figure out the correct sequence?" he asked Albus, just trying to make some small talk. Their year project was to figure out what potion they were making, given a very long list of ingredients out of order and mismatched with their respective measurements.

"Sure," Albus mumbled awkwardly, staring at his hands on the table. "Wait, I'm sorry. What'd you ask?"

"I asked if you thought we were going to solve the potion first," he said, staying patient.

"Oh. Yeah." Albus nodded, glancing at Scorpius.

~*~

Albus was like that for weeks. Shy and awkward and avoidant of most, if not all eye contact with Scorpius. He came in just as class was starting and left just as soon as it was over. Scorpius always got the vague notions that Albus had a lot to say or ask him but was holding back. Partially out of manners, partially out of not wanting to really know. That was okay with Scorpius; just because he was friends with Lily didn't mean he and Albus needed to build or maintain a friendship. They were just Potions partners, after all. They weren't there to get chummy.

Scorpius was surprised one day in late November when Albus asked if they could meet up outside of class.

"Pardon?" Scorpius asked, wanting to make sure he'd heard correctly.

"I said, do you think you could meet me in my common room or I in yours?" Albus asked, still not making eye contact with Scorpius, which was a shame. Albus had lovely green irises that Scorpius would have liked to have seen straight-on.

"Sure," Scorpius said, pushing some of his thin blond hair behind his ear. "When?"

"Umn," Albus hummed, shifting his weight from one foot to another. "Tonight, maybe? Clementine Boot and Matthew Corner think they're halfway done with the potion already, so if we want to come out on top, we should probably work more often…"

"I agree. I'll see you tonight, then. After dinner?"

"Sure…"

"Should I get anything out of the library?"

Albus squirmed. "I can do it. Don't worry."

"Alright," Scorpius murmured, shrugging. "I'll see you then."

"Cool," Albus mumbled before hurrying to his next class. Scorpius looked after him, wondering when Albus would just say what was on his mind.

The afternoon went by fairly quickly, and before Scorpius knew it he was approaching Albus. Even now Albus was still avoiding eye contact.

"Will it be Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff?" Scorpius asked, smiling cheerfully.

"Huh?" Albus grunted, looking confused.

"Studying, remember?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah. Er, yeah. Hufflepuff?"

"Sure," Scorpius said simply, still smiling cheerfully. He figured Albus would be more comfortable in his own common room than in Ravenclaw's. He was already uncomfortable with Scorpius' presence. The terminally ill weren't everyone's cup of tea.

Of course, Albus didn't speak a word on their way to the common room, and Scorpius didn't see fit to bother him. He wasn't all that talkative anyway, and he had no reason to make the boy all that more uncomfortable. He wondered again when Albus would just say whatever was on his mind or ask the questions he wanted answers to. It was possible he'd already asked Lily and possible she'd even told him everything she knew. More likely, he'd asked and she'd told him to ask Scorpius for himself. That's what Lily was like.

Albus didn't ask any questions that weren't connected to the task at hand that night, or the next two nights they worked on it. But the third night, he finally asked. They'd worked diligently for hours and finally everyone had gone to bed. Albus seemed comfortable enough to talk then.

"My sister said you're sick."

"Your sister was right," Scorpius said, smiling at him a little bit to try and encourage more conversation.

"She said you're dying," Albus told him, voice sounding uneasy.

"Yeah."

"Are you scared?"

"A little. There's nothing I can do about it, so I try not to think about it too much."

Albus looked very sad and like he was thinking hard. Scorpius imagined he was probably trying to put himself in Scorpius' shoes, but didn't like the thought.

"What are you sick with?"

"My magic"

"What?" Albus gasped, finally looking at Scorpius properly. He did have very beautiful green eyes, although his pupils were huge just then.

"They think I'm… allergic to my magic, if you will. Like it's… essentially poisoning me."

Albus shook his head, mouth hanging open. "I…. I can't… I didn't know that…"

"It's not exactly common," Scorpius said quietly, shrugging.

"What does it… do?"

"Well," Scorpius started, shifting to get comfortable. "I was ill a lot as a child. Fevers, body aches, lung infections - generally unwell. My parents kept having Healers come to see me, and they'd help me get better, but the illness always came back. I didn't show any signs of magic until later, either. I think I was eight or nine the first time I ever showed any kind of magic. My parents were worried I'd be a Squib. It's getting worse, has been in the last, oh, three years. I'm sick almost always now, my body hurts all the time, I'm… going downhill."

"That's terrible," Albus whispered, looking right at Scorpius. "You seem so nice."

"I like to think I am."

"Then why are you so sick?" Albus asked. "Why did you get the shit end of the stick?"

"I guess that's just the way life works sometimes." Albus didn't say anything else, looking down at his lap. Scorpius looked away too, playing with a scrap of paper. "I should probably get back to my common room now, hm?"

"Yeah," Albus mumbled, nodding. "Umn… I… Well… Good luck, you know?"

"Thanks," Scorpius said, packing his things. "If you have questions, you can ask them any time. My feelings won't be hurt or anything."

Albus looked up at him, looking momentarily shocked. "Yeah… No… Yeah, thanks."

~*~

"Hey, Scorpius," Albus said, some night before they left for winter holidays.

"Yes?"

"How come… if you're only supposed to be… around for a short number of months… you're here at school instead of with your family?"

"Oh," Scorpius said, sighing. "People don't normally ask me that. It's not very complicated, though. I love my family a great deal, heaps even, but school is another great love. I just wouldn't feel right if I didn't try to finish. Plus, at home… my mum will just be… sad all the time. Don't tell anybody this, but I hate seeing her cry and want to avoid as many tears as possible."

"I see," Albus whispered, messing with his quill and turning it over in his fingers. "So, what do you do? I mean, with your time."

"Read, mostly," Scorpius answered, trying to think of what else he did regularly. "That's pretty much the extent of it. I'm not all that lively. Kind of boring, but I think that's just me, not because I'm sick."

"I don't think you're boring," Albus mumbled under his breath.

"Pardon?" Scorpius asked, cocking his head to the side.

"I said that I don't think you're boring."

"How can you think I'm not boring?" Scorpius asked, chuckling a bit. "All you ever do with me is study. I mean, I know I don't think schoolwork is boring, but usually my peers do…"

"I just don't think you're boring," Albus said, defense in his voice.

"Okay, I'm not boring," Scorpius said, chuckling again and smiling at Albus getting defensive. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Albus mumbled again, eyes wandering around the room. "Do you want to be friends?"

"I don't think anyone's asked to be my friend since I was eight," Scorpius said, teasing him a little. "But sure, why not? You don't seem boring either."

"Cool," Albus said, smiling shyly. "Do you like to read aloud?"

"Yes," Scorpius said, grinning. "Do you?"

"I like listening to people read aloud, but I don't very well," Albus admitted. "My mouth works faster than my brain, so I trip on words or say the wrong thing."

"Albus," Scorpius said, smiling like he knew. "Are you asking to read with me?"

Albus' freckled cheeks got red and he slouched over, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know, I guess maybe."

"Sure," Scorpius told him. "I'd like that. Maybe not tonight, since it's late. Tomorrow? I think we deserve a break-night from studying."

"Okay," Albus said, eagerly if Scorpius wasn't mistaken. "Are you leaving, then?"

"Yes, I think so. I'm so tired," Scorpius yawned for affect. "But I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright. I'm looking forward to it," Albus' voice was small and shy-sounding again.

"Me too," Scorpius said, waving goodbye.

~*~

Scorpius couldn't get out of bed that morning. He'd awoken with a fever and chills, a cough and fatigue he couldn't ignore. He felt terribly about not making it to class, and even more terribly when he remembered he'd told Albus they'd read that evening. Scorpius only hoped that Albus had a forgiving nature, since he came across so shy and sweet.

He covered his mouth as he coughed and then groaned, peeking at his clock. Dinner was almost over by now. Scorpius hadn't eaten a thing all day, but he still wasn't hungry by any means. He groaned again and lay back, closing his eyes. The rest didn't last long, for a moment later he heard a small voice call for him.

"Who's there?" Scorpius asked, voice scratchy.

"It's Albus," the boy said, poking his head between Scorpius' curtains. "I know you're sick, but I thought maybe you'd still want to read with me. If not, I'll go…"

Scorpius was actually touched that Albus still came up here, and still wanted to read with him. "No, stay," he said, sitting up slowly and smiling at the dark-haired boy.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive, come sit up here," Scorpius insisted, trying to not let it show that sitting up had made him a little winded. Albus gave him that shy smile again and took his shoes off before hoisting himself onto Scorpius' bed, sitting Indian style.

"I brought a couple of books," Albus said, rooting around in his bag for his books. "It's poetry. Is that okay?"

"Sure," Scorpius said, combing some blond wisps from his face. "I like poems."

The two boys read for hours, pausing here and there for Scorpius' coughing and Albus' difficulties with reading aloud. Albus didn't read as badly as he'd made it sound or like he acted. A few misread words here and there - nothing that he had to be embarrassed of. Scorpius thought it was kind of cute, even.

"Can I ask you something?" Albus asked, closing his poetry book.

"Of course," Scorpius answered, looking at him curiously. "What do you want to know?"

"Have you ever… you know?" Albus sighed, looking like he was thinking hard and trying to use words carefully. "Ever have, you know. Gone on dates?"

"No," Scorpius answered truthfully, shaking his head.

"Why not?"

"It's a bad idea." He shook his head again. "I try not to let myself dwell on the fact that I'm dying, but I really can't be in a relationship like this. It's not fair to anybody to build that kind of a bond. I don't need a reason to be angry with the world and I don't need to hurt any more people any worse than I'm already going to."

"You wouldn't even want to try? I mean, if somebody really liked you and if you were to like them back? It wouldn't be worth, you know… trying?"

"I don't think I could stand hurting someone so badly, and I don't know who'd ever be willing to put themselves through that."

"Yeah," Albus whispered. "They'd have to be crazy."

"Why do you ask?"

"No reason. I'm tired, though," Albus said, packing his books and getting off the bed. "Do you think you'll be out and about tomorrow?"

"Probably not," Scorpius said slowly, wondering why Albus was suddenly so eager to get out of there. "I'll hope for Monday."

"Cool."

Scorpius watched the back of Albus' head as the boy walked away. What was all that about?

~*~

Albus went back to behaving strangely the last few days before break. Scorpius had wracked his brain, and finally a thought had come to his mind. Maybe Albus had a crush on him. It was preposterous, the thought of anyone having a crush on him. But the theory jived with why Albus may have asked and then gotten so weird when he got the answer.

"Albus!" Scorpius called out, huffing and trying to catch up to Albus on the way to the carriages that would take them to the train. "Wait up!"

Albus paused for Scorpius, looking like he was afraid of him. "Hi," he said shyly.

"Do you like me?" Scorpius asked bluntly, looking up at Albus' green eyes. "Is that why you asked if I dated and then got upset with me? Because you like me?"

"No," Albus mumbled, cheeks getting redder. "Maybe."

"Merlin," Scorpius whispered, looking at Albus with a mix of surprise and apology. "Why me?"

"Why's the sky blue?" Albus asked, shrugging. Although at that particular moment the sky was gray with clouds. "I just do. You're so nice and you're so smart, Lily talks about how great you are, too… You're so handsome."

Scorpius didn't agree with that last statement at all. He didn't think he was too handsome with his thin hair, chalk-white skin and ever-present bags under his eyes. He looked much sicker than he felt.

"You've got this pretty light in your eyes," Albus continued, only whispering. "You don't look like you're dying…"

"But I am," Scorpius said gently. "You understand, right? I'm not rejecting you because there's anything undesirable about you. You know it won't work?"

"Yeah," Albus breathed out, closing his eyes. Scorpius thought maybe he was going to cry. It made him feel horrid, making Albus so upset. He was a nice boy. This was exactly why Scorpius couldn't give him anything; he'd take it all back before either was ready.

"I'll see you after hols, okay?" Scorpius said, touching Albus' shoulder. "We're still friends, yeah? You can write me?"

"Sure," Albus said, giving Scorpius a smile the latter knew was fake and forced. "Cool."

Scorpius watched Albus walking away, feeling sad for Albus and sad for himself. Albus was a perfectly nice boy. If he wasn't dying he'd love for Albus to be interested in him. But life wasn't like that; Scorpius was dying. It wouldn't be fair, and he wouldn't hurt such a sweet person so badly.

He wouldn't let himself dwell.

~*~

Dear Scorpius,

I can't get you out of my head at all. I know that I told you I understood, but I'll tell you again that I understand. I understand you're sick. I understand that I won't have you for as long as I think I would like to. I understand you don't want to hurt anybody or be unfair. I understand everything and I know what I'm getting into if we date. I don't think any of that makes you not worth my effort. If you're interested in me the way I'm interested in you, then I hope you'll give it a chance.

It already frightens me that you're going to die. I don't want to miss the chance to take you out and hold your hand. To spend hours with your talking about everything and nothing. I'd rather spend a century mourning something great than mourning the lost opportunity of something great.

I hope you'll reconsider.

Sincerely,

Albus

Dear Albus,

That letter was very sweet. I don't know what to tell you, though. Yes, you're on my mind a great deal as well. Yes, you're sweet and you're handsome. You're soft, and I'm soft. If things were different and we lived in a world where I was going to be fine, I wouldn't think twice about going out with you. But things just aren't that way, and you'd do well to find somebody whose clock isn't ticking so fast. You're a sweet boy - you deserve more than I can offer you.

Sincerely,

Scorpius

Scorpius,

Doesn't it hurt to want something and not let yourself have it? I'm not changing my mind; I really like you and can't rest right without having a chance. Won't you please give me the chance while you're still here? If you don't, I'll spend years wondering what it would've been like. How your lips might have felt on mine. What kind of cute faces you'd make in your sleep.

I'm not changing my mind,

Albus

Albus,

Your persistence is flattering, but please stop. I'm not changing my mind and I'm not opening myself up to heartache. I do not need a reason to be bitter about my circumstances.

Regards,

Scorpius

Scorpius,

One date.

Hopeful,

Albus

Albus,

No. Please, I have to beg you to just stop. Don't make this hard for us.

Scorpius

~*~

Scorpius was tired saying goodbye to his parents again on January second. Tired because he was ill, and tired from Albus' relentless requesting that he let them go on a date together. It made Scorpius tired because it made him want to break his resolve and say yes. It made him tired because he couldn't say yes, and tired was so much easier than sad or angry.

When Albus didn't approach him on the train or at dinner, Scorpius was able to breathe a little easier; perhaps the stubborn Potter boy had seen reason and given up. He certainly hoped so, since any more of his insistence would make friendship difficult for Scorpius. He didn't have the energy to be constantly denying Albus. He didn't want to be stuck between a rock and a hard place - hurting Albus by rejecting him and hurting him by dying.

"Hello," Scorpius said cheerfully, sitting across from Albus at their table in Potions.

"One date," Albus said, looking at him with a nearly heart-breaking amount of hope in his eyes. "Just one date, and then I'll leave you alone. I promise."

Scorpius just stared at him. What was he supposed to do? He couldn't resist an opportunity to be corrected, especially when he was positive he was right. Scorpius sank into his chair, rubbing his forehead. "Okay," he said, nodding. "One date."

"Seriously?" Albus breathed, green eyes widening. "Really? A date?"

"One," Scorpius said, torn between feeling weary and feeling excited. Albus looked so excited it was hard not to feel incomparably special when the boy looked and smiled at him that way.

~*~

"Where're we going?" Scorpius asked, walking beside Albus, their arms linked. He was a little short of breath going down the stairs, but he wasn't complaining.

"You'll see," Albus said, grinning at him. Scorpius looked at him curiously for a moment longer before sighing and just letting things be, letting Albus lead him. "We're here."

Scorpius looked at the wall, nonplussed. "We're having our date in a corridor?"

"Not quite," Albus said, chuckling. "Just stand there," he told Scorpius, squeezing his shoulders. Scorpius did as he was told, watching Albus as he walked back and forth down the corridor.

"Merlin," Scorpius breathed once a door had appeared in a spot which had previously been nothing but a stone wall. "How'd you know that was there?"

"Old family secret." Albus sounded like he was teasing. He extended an arm and Scorpius took his hand, stepping forward as Albus pulled him into the room.

The room was small and simple. A small table set for two, two chairs, a sofa and a hearth with a small fire blazing inside of it. "It doesn't always look like this," Albus told him. "It changes to the needs of whoever wants into it."

"Wow," Scorpius mumbled, impressed. "You picked a nice room, then."

"Good," Albus placed a hand on Scorpius' back, nudging him towards the table and pulling a chair out.

"Thank you," Scorpius said, sitting in the chair and tucking some hair behind his ear. "This looks good," he remarked, smelling the chicken and the lemony cream sauce on the pasta.

"I didn't know if you had any food allergies…"

"I don't."

Thank Merlin he didn't, because the food was delicious. Scorpius cleaned his plate - something he hadn't done in at least a year. He had a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach that he shouldn't be enjoying himself so much, but he couldn't help it. The freckle-faced boy was infectious; he was happy and it just radiated off of him. It penetrated Scorpius and he had no choice but to be happy and want more and more.

After their meal, Albus helped Scorpius to stand up, and then sit on the couch. "I've been practicing," Albus stated, picking up a book.

"Oh, have you now?" Scorpius asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Albus answered, taking it to be a serious question. He opened his book, momentarily caressing the page he'd stopped on. Albus took a breath.

"Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at the close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Albus completed the first verse perfectly, and already Scorpius was captivated. His eyes didn't leave Albus' lips as they recited the poem flawlessly.

"Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Albus had practiced in an effort to impress Scorpius, and impress Scorpius he did. To the very last word, Scorpius was in a trance.

"And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light."


Albus closed his book again, and Scorpius could hear the boy was a touch out of breath. Slowly, Albus brought his eyes up to Scorpius' and they stayed that way for a long time. Long minutes of uninterrupted eye contact. Inch by inch, their faces came closer and Scorpius' heart beat faster.

Albus' lips were soft and moist, perfect to the touch. They made Scorpius' breath hitch as they brushed his own. He couldn't get enough, sliding his frail fingers into Albus' thick black hair, drawing him in closer. All the resistance in the world was futile now. Now that Scorpius had had a taste, there was no staying away. Right at this moment, he wasn't even convinced that death could break this feeling.

~*~

As the months passed, that feeling lingered. It lingered and it grew stronger, from just a hopeful whisper to a proud declaration. There was nobody like Albus. Nobody who could stay up talking until Scorpius was too exhausted to say another word. Nobody who made him laugh so much it hurt, and nobody who made him feel more alive in the face of death. By June, Scorpius was in love. There were no two ways about it; he was in love and nothing could change that.

Astoria and Draco weren't happy when Scorpius brought Albus home with him after graduation, but neither dared to push the matter. Scorpius was happy, which was all Astoria cared about. Of course as much happiness as there was in the air, it was hard to ignore the elephant in the room. It was the end of June. Scorpius was doing poorly and his clock had until September to tick to a stop.

For the most part, Scorpius still refused to dwell on the fact that he was dying, but Albus made it so much harder to accept what was coming. He'd never wanted to die, but he'd been okay with it. Now, he didn't dwell because he couldn't bear the thought. He was happiest and most pained in moments like the one he was having now, in the wee hours of the morning. He and Albus were in his bed, doing nothing other than looking at each other. The occasional, necessary blinks were the only interruptions, and Albus' thumb gently stroked Scorpius' lips.

"I love you," Scorpius whispered, taking as deep a breath as he could. His chest was congested and ached when he breathed too deeply.

"I love you too," Albus told him, bowing his head and kissing Scorpius' chin. "Is something on your mind?"

"Dying." Scorpius sighed, closing his eyes. "It's like… I can feel it coming and at the same time, not."

"I can't think of it at all," Albus said. "I try to and… I can't picture it. It doesn't feel like… It can't happen. It can't."

"It's going to," Scorpius whispered. "I get worse every day." He was getting upset now. Feeling sad and feeling guilty. Albus was going to get hurt.

"Stop," Albus said softly, shifting to stroke Scorpius' hair. "You're tired. Don't get yourself worked up, okay?"

"Yeah." Scorpius shook his head, trying to get rid of the tears building. He hadn't cried in such a long time he shouldn't start now. It was too late for that now.

~*~

Scorpius was put in the hospital in early August. His health had taken such a sharp nose dive, Scorpius thought maybe he was going to be cheated out of his last month. It wasn't any comfort that there was a team of season Healers and his father working and searching all hours of the night for a cure, anything at all that might at least sustain him for a little longer. A potion, and plant, a charm, anything.

He was in nearly constant pain, and he never had any kind of appetite. He spent more time sleeping than not from the high fevers and sharp chills. He tried so hard but he couldn't even stay awake for Albus, who was there as soon as he was allowed in the morning and didn't leave until they made him, every single day.

"Are you comfortable?" Albus asked, voice quiet and tender as he fussed with Scorpius' blankets.

"I'm okay," Scorpius whispered, slowly raising a trembling, pale hand to cover his mouth before he coughed. His lungs couldn't wait though, and he started coughing long before the hand reached his mouth.

"Can I get you some water?" Albus' voice sounded thick and much like he was in pain. Scorpius thought maybe Albus was about to cry but he was too drowsy to think properly.

"Isn't… fair," Scorpius whispered, throat developing a lump. He couldn't believe he'd done this to Albus. He'd broken his resolve. He'd gone on the date, he'd fallen in love. And now he was going to die on Albus like he knew was going to happen. And Albus was already hurt. "I'm s-sor…"

"Don't," Albus said sternly, squeezing Scorpius' hand. "Don't do that. I knew what I was getting into. And it was worth it. It's still worth it."

Scorpius closed his eyes, lower lip quivering. What was he supposed to say? He had only weeks to go, if he was lucky. He'd die and wouldn't feel a thing, and Albus would be left nursing a broken heart. "Don't miss me… forever." He panted a bit, swallowing the lump.

"I can't help that," Albus whispered, laying his head down. "I'm going to miss you for as long as I'm away from you."

Both boys jumped as the door burst open and Astoria swept into the room.

"They think they found something!"

~*~

The solution made sense. Since Scorpius magic was poisoning him, they had to remove it.

"We can drain his magic," Draco said, explaining to Albus since Scorpius was only drifting in and out of being asleep and half-conscious. "There is a way."

"Drain his magic," Albus whispered, looking at the sleeping, pale boy in the bed. "That'd make him… a Squib."

"That's better than dead," Draco said grimly, nodding. He looked at his son and at his wife who was asleep holding the boy's hand. Albus nodded, letting out a shaking breath.

"So when are they going to do it?" he asked Draco, looking at the older man.

"In the next day or two, hopefully. They're still looking into it, studying the few similar cases they have on record. But with any hope, in the next day or two."

Draco looking down suddenly at the coin in his palm. "What's going on?" Albus asked, looking curiously.

"It's burning, which means they want to talk to me," Draco said, standing up and fixing his tie. "You can come with me."

Albus did just that, wanting to know whatever Draco knew about Scorpius' possible treatment. He followed Draco through hallways until they came to a room where the team of Healers had been searching day and night for any way to save the boy with the mystery illness.

"What is it?" Draco asked, pulling up a chair for Albus and taking one for himself. Albus sat quietly, just listening.

"In the first similar case that they tried to drain the boy's magic, he still died," said a short, brownish-grayish haired witch. "We think because he was so sick, he still needed some magic to sustain him."

"Then give him mine," Draco said, angry because they were wasting his and Scorpius' precious time.

"That's the thing," another witch, a slightly younger blond one, said. "In the next case, they tried to give him donated magic… the girl died."

"Well, then figure something out," Draco suddenly roared, standing up with such force he knocked the chair over. "Don't sit here telling me the thing that could cure my son will by the same stroke kill him," he yelled, slamming his fists on the table.

Everyone in the room was dead silent for several long, painful moments after Draco's outburst.

"Who gave her the magic?" Albus asked, voice hardly rising above a whisper.

"Excuse me, dear?" the brown-gray haired witch asked.

"Who donated their magic to her?"

"Oh," she said, "her sister."

"Somebody from the same magic line," Albus said, licking his lips. His limbs trembled.

"Yes…"

"Give him mine," he said, standing up. "Magic from the same line. That's it, isn't it? Scorpius is allergic or what the hell ever to his family's magic. Give him my magic."

"Young man," a tall wizard piped up, "that… is a big risk to take, and a big decision for you to be making so quickly."

"Do I have time to not be quick?" Albus asked, shaking his head. "Give him my magic. It's all his. I don't care if I'm a Squib; if I have him, I have everything."

"He's eighteen," Draco said simply, calming himself. "He can make his own decisions. Unless it's against policy, if he wants to donate his magic, let him."

The Healers were all quiet for several minutes, exchanging looks. The wizard took a deep breath and nodding. "We'll draw up the paper work and get the two of them ready."

~*~

"Albus, are you positive you want to do this?" Harry asked his son, holding the paperwork the boy was supposed to sign. "I know Scorpius means a lot to you, but you're very young to just give up your magic. You understand, right? After this, you won't have any magic left. You don't get to be an Auror if you do this."

"I know, dad," Albus said impatiently. "I understand; I'm not a child. All my magic will be gone. I won't get to be an Auror without magic. But if I don't do this, Scorpius is going to die, dad. What would you do if it were mum?"

"Mum and I are married."

"Maybe Scorpius and I are married."

"Excuse me?" Harry gasped, eyes all but popping out of their sockets.

Albus snorted and laughed, covering his mouth. "You should see yourself. No, we're not married. But I know he's the one. I can feel it, dad. Grandpa and Grandma Potter fell in love in seventh year. So did Nana and Granddad Weasley, and so did you. Don't tell me I'm not in love or that there's no way we'll last. I don't need your permission to give my magic to Scorpius, but I hope you'll support my choices."

"Of course I'll support your choices." Harry sighed, rubbing his eyes. "It's very noble of you to make this kind of sacrifice for him. Very Gryffindor of you."

"Dad," Albus groaned, rolling his eyes. He snatched the paperwork from his father, looking at it briefly before signing his name in the appointed places. "Is mum mad at me?"

"No, of course she isn't mad at you. Worried, because you're her boy. But she understands what you're doing, which is why she made me come talk to you instead of her. You know she's weak for you."

Albus chuckled, relieved to hear that. "Okay," he said, signing the last line. "I'm kind of scared that it still won't work…"

"It will," Harry said, rubbing his son's back. "Believe that it will."

"But what if it doesn't? What if I still lose him, dad?"

"Then it's very sad, but at least you tried to stop it," Harry said, wrapping his arm around Albus' shoulders and squeezing him. "You're trying so hard. Try to have some faith. You told me weeks ago you couldn't picture life without him. Don't start now."

"Okay." Albus nodded, rubbing the hints of tears building in his eyes. "Okay, let's go."

Albus took deep breaths as he lay in the bed, waiting for them to harvest his magic. He wondered what magic looked like and imagined a jar full of grape jam. He closed his eyes, licking his lips while the Healers got themselves ready.

"We're going knock you out," the tall wizard from yesterday told him. "It's supposed to be very painful, and it might hurt after you wake up. We'll make sure you're comfortable as soon as possible, alright?"

"Okay," Albus said, nodding and giving him a nervous smile. He took a small, deep purple pill they gave him and chewed on it; it tasted awful but dissolved quickly. It didn't take long before the anesthetic kicked in and Albus slipped under.

~*~

It did hurt when Albus came around again. It felt like tiny needles were pricking him all over, stabbing him painfully when he moved. His first thought was about Scorpius. Did he have the new magic yet? Was he okay? Was he awake? His second thought was to call for a Healer, which he didn't need to worry over; one came in just then.

"How are you feeling?" she asked him, checking him out.

"Like I've just rolled in a vat of shattered glass and needles," Albus whispered, face pinching.

"We'll give you some of this," she said, pouring a turquoise potion into small glass for him. That was bound to taste disgusting.

"How is Scorpius?" he asked, trying to sit up a bit to drink his pain reliever. "Is he awake?"

"No, he's still knocked out. He keeps letting off bursts of accidental magic, though, which we think is an excellent sign."

Albus' stomach fluttered. Half from excitement and half from the terrible tasting potion he drank. "Do you think it's working? When can I get up and see him?"

"Yes, I personally think that we've found his cure," she said, smiling. "You can see him when he's awake, if you feel up to moving."

"Absolutely," Albus said hastily, nodding. "Yes. Just come get me as soon as I'm awake. Are my parents here?"

"Yes, do you want me to get them for you?"

"Please."

Albus didn't feel quite like he was magic-less. When the Healer was gone, he picked up his wand and set a tissue on his lap. "Wingardium Leviosa," he said clearly, swish and flick. Nothing. "Incendio!" It didn't even warm up. So he really was a squib. It left him with a strange feeling, not having any magic at all. But the feeling of loss wasn't even comparable to the feeling of hope and pride that maybe his lost magic was helping Scorpius.

"Hello," Ginny greeted him, waving her hand as she came into the room, followed by Harry.

"Hi, mum," Albus murmured, waving. The potion worked fast, so he wasn't uncomfortable anymore.

"How do you feel?" she asked, sitting on the edge of his bed.

"I feel fine. More or less the same. Strange to know I honestly have no magic in me now."

"You did a wonderful thing," she said, smoothing some of his hair. "Astoria and Draco are so grateful; they can't stop telling everyone how grateful they are."

"I just hope it's really working." Albus sighed, looking at the tissue on his lap. Ginny took hold of his hand, petting the back with her thumb.

"He's looking really good. Draco said he's not so pale, already. His breathing is better, too. You saved him, sweetheart."

~*~

Albus stirred, eyes slowly fluttering open. He closed them immediately, the light in the room making them hurt. More slowly, he opened them again, blinking against the sun pouring through the curtains. He could see the sky was blue - not one cloud visible through the large window in his bedroom. As he looked at the clock, the small hand was right on the eleven, the long hand on the twelve.

He got out of bed quickly, a little too quickly because his head spun a little. Dizziness was another symptom that came along with the loss of magic. He gripped the doorframe for a moment until he regained his balance and then set down the corridor to Scorpius' room.

Scorpius hadn't woken up yet, although it had been three days. He looked wonderful, even if he hadn't woken yet. His cheeks were pink and he was a generally healthier colour. He hardly coughed and his breathing was, dare anyone say it, excellent. Just that one big concern - he hadn't woken up.

Astoria hadn't left Scorpius' side at all, so Albus wasn't surprised to see her sitting in the bedside chair, reading a book. She set it down when Albus came into the room, sighing heavily.

"Still asleep," she said, frowning.

"He looks great," Albus whispered, sitting on Scorpius' bed. He caressed Scorpius' fine blond hair, feeling the softness on his fingertips. "He just needs to wake up now."

Astoria nodded, watching Albus' hand in Scorpius' hair. "I'm glad you were so persistent with him."

"So am I," Albus said, smiling. "I really love him, Mrs. Malfoy."

"You can call me Astoria, and I know you do. I can't imagine you making such a huge sacrifice if you didn't love him."

"Do you think he'll be alright?" he asked, looking up at Astoria's face.

"Yes," she answered, nodding. "I do think he's going to be alright."

"I hope so," Albus said, fingertips caressing the boy's silky cheek. "I think he'll be okay for ten minutes if you want to get some tea or something to eat."

"Maybe," she said, sighing again. "Or take a shower…"

"Go ahead. He'll be fine. Probably still sleeping like a baby."

"Okay." Astoria hesitantly stood up. "I'll be back in an hour," she said, kissing Scorpius' forehead before making her way out of the room.

Albus looked over his shoulder as she went out the door and then back at Scorpius. He touched his lips gently, feeling their warmth and smoothness. They were pinker now, too. Albus leaned down, kissing the lips with feather-light pressure. Sighing, Albus sat back, and studied Scorpius closely. He thought he'd heard Scorpius make some noise. The noise came again, accompanied by Scorpius' face twitching.

"Scorpius?" Albus asked, combing the boy's hair. Slowly, Scorpius' eyes fluttered open.

"Albus," he mumbled, blinking.

"Hi, honey," Albus said gleefully, though keeping his voice down. He grinned wide, petting Scorpius' forehead with his thumb. "How do you feel?"

"I feel… like I just woke up," Scorpius said, chuckling quietly. "What's happened? Am I better?"

"I think so," Albus told him, nodding. Scorpius hadn't woken up, so he didn't know what had happened. Why he was better.

"How'd they do it?" he asked, slowly sitting up.

"They had to drain your magic."

Scorpius' eyes popped. "What?"

"But you still needed magic to live because you were so sick. And it couldn't be from your family's own magic line, so your parents couldn't give you theirs…"

"Then how?" Scorpius asked. Albus bit his lip and gave a shy smile, making Scorpius gasp and cover his mouth. "You didn't… You did," he said breathlessly. "You gave me your magic?"

"Of course I did," Albus said simply. "You needed it."

"But Albus… now you're… a squib. You've got no magic and it's my fault."

"You didn't ask for it," Albus said firmly. "Nobody asked for it. I gave it because I wanted to. You mean more to me than all the magic in the world."

Albus could see Scorpius was fighting tears, but the tears were winning. "You love me that much?"

"Of course I do," Albus said, holding Scorpius' hand. Scorpius opened and closed his mouth again, choosing to use a tight hug instead of words.