Seventh-Year: The Next Generation

Author's Note:

Woohoo! Thanks for the reviews, people! Each one just fills my little heart with joy. =D So keep at it! Here's the next chapter, I hope you like it as much as the past ones. Tapioca pudding makes another guest appearance in this one, because who doesn't love tapioca?! ;) With each chapter, we draw closer and closer to Azkaban! =]

Chapter 16: So, Detention can be Useful

"So, what do we do?" asked Monique.

Lily drummed her fingers lightly on the table.

Hugo yawned, and leaned back in his chair.

They were sitting in the library, at a table that was snuggled between two large bookshelves.

"Explain to us what it was like, again," said Lily.

"Oh, come on," said Hugo. "I already did."

"Please, Hugo," cajoled Lily.

Hugo sighed, but reluctantly gave in. "It was like a flood of images flashing by my eyes at a very fast pace. Pictures that were there one moment, and gone the next. And, like I said before, they were mostly of Albus and Scorpius at Azkaban, clearly breaking some prisoners out."

Lily nodded. "I don't think we should confront them on it," said Lily.

"What? You can't be serious?" said Monique.

"Look, I know Albus and Scorpius. If they're breaking people out of Azkaban, they'd have a good reason for it."

"Yeah, that's true, but they may need our help. We should ask to go with them," said Hugo.

Lily shook her head. "You know them, especially Scorpius. They'd never let us go along."

"Well, then what do we do?" demanded Hugo. "I'm not just going to sit around. I got a vision for a reason, and I'm not just going to ignore it."

"I never suggested that you should. What we'll do, is this..."

***

A week passed. The first snow came, and the grounds were covered in a soft blanket of white.

Albus stood on the Quidditch pitch, breathing in the sharp, cold air that seared at his lungs. He threw his head back, and gazed up at the clear, blue sky.

This could be my last full day of being a free man, of being able to do whatever I want, he thought dully.

I could very easily spend the rest of my life in a bleak, stone prison, surrounded by Dementors. He shuddered violently at the thought.

Why am I even doing this? Why don't I have the strength to stand up to Lestraud? But he knew the answer. It was because it didn't require his strength to refuse her, it required Scorpius's, and he wouldn't willingly put Scorpius through that.

Albus couldn't help but notice the irony. The fact that to try and protect Scorpius, he could end up being the reason that Scorpius never lived his life fully, due to being in Azkaban.

But this way, at least there's a chance we won't get caught, if however slim, there's the chance. And then it will all be all right, all be all right...

Taking the broom that was in his hand, he leapt astride it, and took to the air.

He flew back and forth, up and down, around and in circles.

He soared as fast as he could go, one moment flying in a loop way above the ground, the next soaring just inches from the snow, letting his toes dangle and shoot up powdery clouds of icy snow.

Unknown to Albus, Scorpius watched him from the entrance to the stadium. His arms were crossed as he leaned against the frame of the stands.

Scorpius wasn't stupid, he knew that the reason Albus was giving in to Lestraud, was because his friend was protecting him. Or at least thought that he was protecting him. But for the life of him, he couldn't possibly figure out what it was that Albus was hiding from him. What could be so damaging that Albus was willing to risk both their futures?

Scorpius ground his teeth in irritation, he wasn't used to being so stumped for answers, or at least for having some sort of calculated theory, anyways.

But, he figured it wouldn't matter in the end. Tomorrow was the Ministry Official's meeting, and tomorrow they would break into Azkaban. It didn't matter what Albus refused to reveal to him, because he was perfectly confident that they wouldn't get caught. He had way to much faith in both his, and Albus's, abilities.

A week ago they had had their detention with Professor Longbottom in the greenhouses. They had been set to watering different ones of the plants, and trimming them and such. Through this they had been able to find out the location of the Three-Stemmed Pricker, and how they would get a hold of it when the time came.

They were supposed to have another detention with Longbottom this week, at the same time and place-- which mean it would be tonight. Their plan was to get Longbottom to let them lock up, but they would actually neglect to do so.

Then all they would have to do, would be to waltz in their tomorrow, grab the plant, whip over to Azkaban, and do their thing.

Scorpius felt like nothing could go wrong. Albus on the other hand couldn't help but see a myriad of potential problems. Well, the two boys never claimed they were alike.

Suddenly, Albus's broom was swaying back and forth in it's flight. He turned downward, and dove to toward the floor. He seemed to have lost control, and he blasted like a bullet, head first into a large snowbank. Snow flew skyward, but no Albus emerged from the bank.

Scorpius started in surprise, and rushed over to where he had seen Albus disappear.

Albus lay half-submerged, his cloak and hair standing out from the spectacular whiteness that surrounded them.

His broom was sticking handle first in the snow, looking rather like some crude scarecrow. It was somehow miraculously unharmed.

Albus wasn't moving.

"Albus, are you alright?" asked Scorpius.

There was a muffled reply.

"What's that? Something about how in the world did you lose control of your broom like that? I was about to ask you that myself," said Scorpius.

Albus drew his face out of the snow. "I said, my face is cold."

"Wow, that's shocking, considering you're lying in a snow bank," said Scorpius sarcastically.

Albus glared at him. "You're such a smart ass."

"That's what they say," said Scorpius, reaching down and pulling Albus out of the snow and to his feet. "So, how did you come to lose control of your broom?"

Albus shrugged. "Wasn't paying attention, I guess."

Scorpius shoved him back into the snow bank.

"What was that for?" spluttered Albus, struggling in his wet and heavy robes to try and get back out.

"Sorry, my hands slipped," said Scorpius with amusement.

"Yeah, right up and into my body," said Albus sarcastically.

"I guess I really need to get better control of my body, don't I?" asked Scorpius of the air, looking thoughtful.

Albus managed to get to his feet once more, only to have Scorpius knock him over once more.

"Stop doing that," snapped Albus irritably.

"Hm... I don't seem to be able to help myself, do I?" asked Scorpius.

Albus promptly pulled out his wand. "Flipendo!"

Scorpius was blasted backward and into another pile of snow.

"Not laughing now, are you?" asked Albus with satisfaction.

"I don't recall laughing before," pointed out Scorpius, shaking snow from his blonde hair.

"That makes my line so much less poignant," said Albus in disappointment.

"Your lines are never any good, anyways. So don't worry about it too much."

"You jerk."

"Wow, that makes me feel the pain," said Scorpius, starting to pull himself from the snow.

"Flipendo!"

Scorpius found himself more entrenched in his cold prison.

"Okay, I get the point, Albus," said Scorpius dryly. "You can stop that now," he said, struggling to get out from the deep bank.

"Just getting revenge, Scorpius."

"You're not allowed to turn around and directly take what I did to you, and do them to me," complained Scorpius. "That's just lame."

"Oh, whatever. I'm sorry I'm not original enough for you." Albus finally extracted himself, and jerked his broom out as well.

"Help me out, will you?" asked Scorpius, who was floundering in the snow.

"Nah, I don't think I will," said Albus gleefully.

Scorpius growled something indistinctly, but took out his wand and melted the snow around him.

"Now I'm all wet," complained Scorpius.

"Well, it was your own fault, so there," Albus said.

"I love how sympathetic you are," said Scorpius.

"We went over this already, remember?"

"Oh, right, that night in the common room, after the Quidditch game. I forgot about that," said Scorpius, remembering.

"We should probably get inside, it's freezing out here. It wouldn't be bad if I wasn't completely soaked," said Albus glaring at Scorpius. The blonde boy pointedly ignored him.

***

"Hey, babe, want to take a walk after dinner?"

"Nah, sorry, I got detention with Albus," said Scorpius, shoving a piece of chicken into his mouth.

"Just skip it," said Baddock.

Scorpius shook his head. "I've got one every week, I don't want to have to get in worse trouble than what I'm already in."

Albus knew he was just making an excuse, Scorpius would've been happy to skip detention, no matter the consequences, if a trip to Azkaban wasn't involved.

"Oh, come on, it won't matter. Just this once, please?"

"I don't think Professor Longbottom would go easy on him if he--" began Albus.

"Nobody asked your opinion, Potter," snapped Baddock, shooting him a look that chilled him to the bone.

He threw up his hands in surrender. "Right, I forgot that I need your permission every time I want to open my mouth. Sorry."

Scorpius watched them both with amusement. He clearly found the way Baddock bossed Albus around hilariously funny.

"Yes, so keep it shut will you?" said Baddock.

Albus shot Scorpius a look that seemed to say Remind me why you put up with her?

"Hey, don't do that," said Baddock, waving her hand in front of Albus's face, breaking his eye connection with Scorpius. "It's like you guys have telepathy or something. It's scary to watch you guys do that."

"Telepathy. Now there is something that would be amazingly useful," said Scorpius thoughtfully.

"You as good as have it already, at least with Potter, anyways," said Baddock in annoyance.

"I wonder what it would be like. Would it be the same as talking, just in your head? Or maybe it would actually be like being in the person's head, and you'd be able to see their memories, and things like that," said Scorpius, wondering aloud.

Baddock looked at him like he was slightly crazy. "What type of whacky world do you think we live in? Don't be ridiculous, telepathy doesn't exist."

"A world that involves magic, unicorns, and dragons? I don't know about you, but it strikes me as being kind of whacky," said Albus.

"Did I tell you that you could speak?" demanded Baddock.

"Sorry," said Albus once more, rolling his eyes. "Maybe I should go shut myself in a cupboard? If that's the case, maybe you could hook me up with some of that tapioca pudding to take with me, Scorpius."

"Maybe you should," said Baddock. "That way you'd leave me and Scorpius with some privacy."

"Or maybe we should be the ones to go shut ourselves in a cupboard?" said Scorpius, eyes glittering with amusement. "Don't you think that would be enjoyable, Baddock? You. Me. Plenty of tapioca pudding in a small cupboard?"

"Ew, what's with the tapioca pudding?" she asked.

"What, you don't like it?" asked Scorpius in an injured tone.

"Nah, never been a big fan," she said.

"That's no good, how can you not like tapioca? I no longer know if this relationship will work out," said Scorpius, looking rather distressed.

"From the beginning I didn't think this would work out," grumbled Albus to himself.

"Don't be ridiculous, Scorpius, tapioca pudding is not that important," chided Baddock.

"Says you, tapioca happens to be a matter very close to my heart," said Scorpius.

Baddock quirked an eyebrow at him. "Don't play with me."

"I'm not playing," said Scorpius, shaking his head. "Tapioca is much to serious to mess around with."

"All this talk of pudding is making me ready for dessert," said Albus.

"Be quiet!" snapped Baddock.

"You be quiet," muttered Albus.

"Well, I think dessert will have to wait, Albus. We got to get down to that detention," said Scorpius.

"But it's not for another--"

"Ten minutes, that's right," interrupted Scorpius. "However, it will take that much time to get down to the greenhouses, and we don't want to be late-- it being only our second detention and all." Scorpius shot Albus a look that clearly said, Stop being a prat, so we can get out of here.

"Right," said Albus hastily, "we should be on our way."

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow then, I guess," pouted Baddock.

"Yes, tomorrow," said Scorpius getting to his feet, and starting to walk away.

"You're not going to leave without a goodbye?" demanded Baddock. Scorpius felt a strong sense of deja vu from that night of the Gryffindor Quidditch celebration-- except this time Baddock was in the place he had been.

"Goodbye, Baddock," he said, flashing a smile. As he turned and walked away, he could feel her glare on the back of his head.

***

"Nothing like sitting out in the freezing cold for half an hour, in the dark, just because a pillock was avoiding his so-called-girlfriend," said Albus loudly, as he made his way down to the greenhouses.

Albus didn't catch the slight shrug of Scorpius's shoulders next to him-- it was too dark.

"Pain builds character," said Scorpius.

"Don't give me crap like that," complained Albus.

Scorpius was stomping along, clearly enjoying the crunch of his boots in the snow. "Don't you love winter?" he asked.

"Not particularly," replied Albus, thinking of the all the cold nights, and how it got dark so early.

"Ah, but it's so great. Snow is the best."

"If you like snow so much, why don't you move to Alaska?" grumbled Albus.

"People around here would miss me too much-- the suicide rates would get too high," said Scorpius placidly.

"You're ego is going to put you in a bad place one day," said Albus.

"As long as there's tapioca pudding there, I won't consider it a bad place."

"Will you stop with the tapioca, already?" Albus moaned.

They arrived at the first of the greenhouses, and Albus swung it open and entered, followed quickly by Scorpius.

Humidity and heat washed over them, and for the first time, Albus didn't find himself minding it that much.

Longbottom was already there. He had his back to them, and seemed to be crushing some seeds with the flat of his knife on a worktable. He didn't look up or turn around when they came in.

Albus looked around, and didn't see any clock, and sighed in relief-- the Professor wouldn't have any way to tell that they were late, then.

"You were supposed to be here five minutes ago," said Neville, still not moving from his work.

"How did you--?" began Albus in surprise.

Now the Professor did stop what he was doing, and turned to face them. He grinned. "That's a time telling plant there." He indicated a specimen over his shoulder. It seemed almost like a small tree, but it only had two branches. Albus watched it carefully, and made out that they were slowly rotating around the trunk.

"Ah, I see," said Albus.

"Well, it's no matter. We'll have plenty of time together over the next few weeks, as I understand," said Neville, smiling at them.

"Yay, I'm leaping up and down with excitement," said Scorpius dryly.

"Oh, I can tell," said Neville. "So to get you even more pumped up for our little detentions together, we're going to be fertilizing today," he said, the grin back on his face.

Albus blanched. "Seriously?" he asked.

Scorpius sighed. "Oh, joy," he said.

An hour and a half later, the two boys found themselves irritable, and smelling rather like manure.

"I love this," said Scorpius as sarcastically as possible. "I must say, I can't wait till next week."

If there is a next week, thought Albus.

"That's great, Mr. Malfoy, because next week I have an even better job for the two of you," said the Herbology professor, pulling off the gloves he had been wearing.

"What could be better than this?" muttered Scorpius, but Neville heard him.

"Oh, believe me, there are plenty of jobs I can find that will delight you even more than this."

"Can't wait," said Scorpius.

"Alright, well, run along, you two. I'll just finish putting these sacks of fertilizer away," said Neville.

"Professor, we can do that for you," said Albus.

Neville looked at him in surprise. "Offering to extend your detention, Mr. Potter? If even by only a few minutes, it's surprising to say the least," he said.

"Well, me and Scorpius could do it in just a couple of minutes. And, no offense, Professor, but we are a lot younger than you," said Albus, silently begging that he would just leave, and not find anything suspicious.

Clearly, Neville didn't think there was anything in the greenhouses that Albus and Scorpius would bother getting into mischief over. "Sure, why not." He tossed Albus a ring full of keys. "They just go in that shed over there." He indicated with a wave of his hand. "The big iron one is for the shed, and the smaller one that's shaped like a triangle is for the greenhouse door. Just lock up when you finish, and send the keys to me with one of the school owls."

Neville threw on a cloak, and stepped out into the cold of the night.

Scorpius and Albus locked eyes, and grinned.

Author's Note:

Hope you liked it, or even better, loved it! Don't forget to drop a review! =D