CHAPTER FOUR

As the school day drew to a close, Nova made her way towards her usual spot where she knew she'd find the second oldest Potter brother – a daily ritual she had grown accustomed to.

"And there comes my other half," Scorpius nudged his friend with a smirk. Albus smiled, recognizing his familiar presence before she had even arrived.

Nova greeted them with a wave, which Albus returned with a nod, his gaze locked on her.

Albus and Nova exchanged their typical, one-word greeting, prompting an amused sigh from Scorpius.

"Honestly, I'd really hoped you two had moved past monosyllables" he commented, the eye-roll betraying his fondness for their old routine.

Nova couldn't help but smirk as she shot back a retort. "Scorpius Draco Malfoy, did you really just drop a Disney quote?" she teased.

Albus, accustomed to their bickering, slowly distanced himself, knowing that these exchanges between the two had become a regular occurrence.

Instead of the expected argument, Albus watched, bewildered, as the two shared a fit of laughter in perfect unison. The unexpected change in their banter puzzled him, but he quickly deduced that their summer months had brought newfound strength to their already unbreakable bond.

Those months stretched out like a dark, lonely void for the two Malfoys. Their once unbreakable bond was under immense strain as they endured the pain of their mother's passing.

Nova smiled and settled beside Albus on the ground, her voice laced with a touch of sarcasm. "How are my favourite Slytherins doing on this fine day?"

Scorpius snickered, shooting a sarcastic remark. "More like the only ones who can stomach your abrasive personality."

Nova defended herself, "It's not my fault if people can't handle my true self. I don't sugarcoat anything; life's too short for that." She cast a sidelong glance at her brother.

Albus lowered his book, his expression curious. "Yes, some people definitely prefer to hear what they want to hear, to have filter" he admitted, a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

Nova nodded, a half-smile playing on her lips. "It's true-" she paused, making sure her next words were meant for Albus' ears alone "-which is why you're here." She glanced at him, her voice hushed.

Albus smiled briefly but then returned his attention to his reading as if trying to disguise his reaction.

Nova and Scorpius continued their back-and-forth banter, their sharp wit evident in every exchange.

Scorpius sneered, "Sure, keep telling yourself that, Nov. If by filter, you mean the occasional pause before saying something completely cutting."

Nova rolled her eyes dramatically, "Oh, please. People find my unfiltered honesty refreshing." Their exchange continued, the two trading sharp quips in a dance that was as familiar as it was playful.

Scorpius couldn't resist a sly remark, "Refreshing, or simply infuriating?"

Nova retorted, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice, "More like, people should appreciate the truth instead of wanting their egos stroked."

He snorted derisively, "Oh, the truth. And who decides what's true or not?"

She shot him an annoyed look, "Anyone with a pair of eyes and a functioning brain."

Scorpius smirked, "And who appointed you the judge of truth and intellect?"

Nova rolled her eyes, "No one appointed me, Scorp. It's just common sense." Albus watched verbal sparring continuing each word a carefully sharpened arrow aimed at each of the Malfoy's defences.

Scorpius' smirk widened, "Ah, common sense, the ultimate weapon. How original."

Nova huffed, "At least my common sense isn't as skewed as yours."

Albus listened to their exchange with subtle amusement, his attention divided between the siblings and the ever-interesting topic at hand.

Meanwhile, Scorpius's eyes landed on a familiar figure across the field they were at, and a knowing smirk crossed his lips. He seized the opportunity to ask what had been on his mind, though with a playful twist.

"So," he began, a hint of mirth in his tone, "How's your secret admirer doing these days? Or as I like to call him, your stalker."

Despite her feigned eye-rolling, there was a hint of resignation in Nova's expression. The mumbled words that escaped her mouth held a mix of frustration and hesitation, leaving the meaning unclear.

Scorpius and Albus exchanged a subtle glance, both sensing the lack of concrete advice from Nova. They felt a pang of empathy for her, silently recognizing the difficulties she faced.

Nova's head rested on her knee, a contemplative expression on her face. "You know," she spoke, her voice carrying a touch of uncertainty. "He's not bad at all. It's just, I don't know if we're really compatible." Her words hung in the air, creating a moment of tension.

Albus found himself reacting against his will. A flicker of unease stirred within him, stirred by the notion of her considering another boy.

The air felt heavy as Albus wrestled with his emotions. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease at the mention of her uncertainty. The idea of another boy capturing her interest was more than just unpleasant—it was downright unsettling.

"Compatible?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of guarded curiosity, almost as if he were daring her to continue.

Nova's gaze met his, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. "Yeah, compatible," she repeated, her voice softer than before. "I mean, we connect on some levels, but there's always this feeling of..disconnect, you know? Like, we get along, but something's missing or perhaps it's not him at all."

In her attempts to get a reaction from Albus, Nova inadvertently dashed any remnants of Albus's newfound confidence. Her choice of words, intended to garner a response, backfired spectacularly. Her attempt to make him jealous had backfired, striking a blow to his fragile self-assurance.

The air was thick with tension, Albus's heart sinking at the revelation of her uncertainty. The word 'compatible' felt like daggers, carving through his confidence. She was right, the feeling of disconnect was real.

"Missing something, huh?" He managed to utter, his voice slightly strained.

As the conversation unfolded, Scorpius felt a strong urge to smack his sister with his book. Knowing her well, he could sense the intentions behind her words and it irritated him.

It was a trait she had picked up from their father. Tenacious, egotistical, and completely oblivious to their actions that hurt others.

The tension between Albus and Nova thickened, and Scorpius's patience wore thin. He was all too familiar with his sister's ways.

"Honestly, you and that guy wouldn't work out," he interjected, his voice tinged with irritation. "Let's change the subject."

"The subject you brought up," Nova shot back, a hint of playful sarcasm in her tone.

Scorpius reacted with a swift kick to her leg, his words filled with teasing affection. "Shut up."

Nova playfully feigned a look of mock offence, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Oh, yes, because you're such a relationship expert, Scorp."

Scorpius let out a theatrical sigh, shooting her a smirk. "Just trying to save you from a lifetime of regret, sis." The banter persisted, a dance of words and sarcasm that masked the underlying seriousness.

Nova crossed her arms, feigning nonchalance as she retorted, "And who says I can't handle a little mistake? I'm not all sweetness and light, you know."

Scorpius couldn't suppress a chuckle, his tone laced with a hint of affectionate mockery. "Oh, we're well aware of your unique brand of trouble, believe me, sister."

Nova let out an exasperated sigh and huffed at her brother's mockery. She quickly shifted the conversation towards school work, desperate to steer clear of the more intimate topics. Soon enough, their discussion was abruptly steered towards academic matters, their previous conversation overshadowed by more practical concerns.