"May I be the first welcome you back for another fantastic year at Hogwarts. As usual, the Forbidden Forest is off limits, as is the Black Lake as we further our investigation for the creature that keeps attempting to destroy the underwater foundation of our school. This being said, Slytherins will be asked to report back to my office at any sign of an oddity outside your window." Professor McGonagall, the rather ancient woman who still remained the Headmistress of Hogwarts following Severus Snape's death, glanced towards the Slytherin table rather worriedly, and then finished up her speech. "All of this being said, allow the feast to commence."

As the woman spoke, table after table came to life with food. Students dug in hungrily, while the newly sorted first years stared around the Great Hall, still amazed by everything about it. One new Slytherin first year, who had somehow found a seat across from Albus Potter, who chose not to sit by Scorpius, began pestering the fifth year with questions.

"And like, the ceiling's enchanted to reflect the sky outside?" The eleven-year-old Cody Townsend asked.

"It is." Albus agreed, wondering if he was this full of energy four years ago, and if he'd annoyed fifth years to such a degree. He glanced down the table and found Scorpius to be staring at him. He frowned and focused back on the younger boy.

"And all Slytherins are Pure-Bloods?"

"Aren't you a Pure-Blood?" Albus asked, although he realized that this stereotype had in fact not been true, as he himself was a Half-Blood.

"No! My dad's a Muggle."

"My dad was a Half-Blood, and my mum was a Pure-Blood. So, to answer your question, no. Slytherin is not composed entirely of Pure-Bloods, as you and I are living proof." The light-green eyed boy explained, and Cody nodded understandingly.

"Your dad's Harry Potter. That's so cool. My dad's just an accountant."

"Believe me, having a famous dad isn't the most amazing thing. I think having an accountant for a dad would be cool." Albus smiled, although he hated the fact that one of his most noticeable qualities was the fact that his father was considered a Hero of the Wizarding World.

After that, the two didn't talk much anymore, as Cody became rather engrossed in a chicken leg. Albus could feel Scorpius' pestering gaze on him, but he tried his best to ignore him. As he glanced across the Great Hall, he was surprised to meet his brother's eyes, which for once, looked at him approvingly.

~△⃒⃘~

Back in the dormitories later that night, after everyone had been forced to listen to the Slytherin Prefect explain the rules of the Common Room, and the House in general, Albus sat solemnly on his bed. His roommates had gone to bed, as it was approaching two in the morning, but he still remained awake, and very much alone.

He pulled the golden bracelet from his pocket again, still not having found the time or reason to return it to Rose. Scorpius was his best friend, so damn romance.

His thumb traced over the engraving of the Malfoy name, and he wondered if Scorpius gave ridiculously expensive gifts to everyone he dated. The blond had had such a ridiculous crush on Rose for so long, and the green-eyed boy was just now curious as to why the Gryffindor was reciprocating feelings.

He wondered if his cousin was awake right now, chatting with her girl friends in her dorm about Scorpius, and how he was 'such a great boyfriend,' and every other cliché thing. Suddenly, the hangings on his bed shifted, and the aforementioned blond poked his head trough the narrow space he'd made with his hand.

"I could almost hear the gears in your brain creaking. What's going on?" He asked, pushing his way through the hangings and taking a seat on the edge of Albus' bed, voice barely above a whisper.

"It's nothing." Albus muttered, pulling his knees against his chest, refusing to meet the blond's silvery eyes.

"It's clearly something, Albus. You haven't spoken to me since the train, and you wouldn't even sit with me at supper. What did I do?" He asked, and then his eyes trained on the golden jewelry in Albus's hands. "Where did you get that?"

"Hugo. Your precious girlfriend left it in the car." Albus muttered, staring down at the shiny piece before handing it over to the blond.

"She's been panicking about it all day! When did Hugo give it to you?"

"When did you and Rose start dating?" Albus asked in return, meeting Scorpius' eyes coldly. The blond frowned, because why was his best friend so angry with him?

"We- over the summer, actually." He mumbled, and Albus rolled his eyes.

"And you couldn't tell me? I had to find out by watching you exchange saliva in our train compartment? Is that why you wouldn't see me all summer?" Albus asked, growing more hurt with each question.

"I- Albus, no. My dad and I went away this summer. We went to visit my aunt, as well as my grandparents. Also, Dad had a lot to do with work." Scorpius explained, wringing his hands awkwardly.

"But you had time to see Rose, obviously. You missed my birthday party. You didn't even write to me. I thought- I thought you hated me." Albus snapped, agitated tears forming in his eyes as his volume increased.

"We ran into each other at Diagon Alley back in July. Her parents wanted to do their school shopping early, and my dad was busy running plans by Gringotts. He's planning to sell a portion of the Manor."

"Why's he selling?" Albus asked, now rather curious.

"It's just him and me, and we don't really need that much space. We also cut down quite a bit on house labor with the house elves. I dunno what he's gonna turn part of our house into, but there certainly is interest there." Scorpius explained, crossing his legs. Albus still remained in his sad, locked position. "Albus, please stop being mad at me. It's killing me."

"Scorpius, you were- you are my best friend. Nothing's changing that. I just really wish you would've told me about Rose, because I felt like an arse today on the train, walking in on the two of you and such." Albus admitted, relaxing his limbs as the blond stared at him hopefully. "I'm not mad at you, but I was hurt. I still kind of am, but I don't love you any less. You'll always be my number one. Just, from now on, can we do no more secrets?"

Scorpius stared at his friend, and something flickered behind his eyes. No more secrets. He thought back to the summer, and when he'd been going through his father's library in search of his copy of the standard fifth year schoolbooks, and in turn what he'd found. No more secrets? Well, maybe just one.

"Yeah, that sounds nice." He muttered, leaning forward to hug his best friend, and Albus returned to hug tightly, not noticing Scorpius' dilemma. "No more secrets."