Harry Potter and the Story Without Delphi

Chapter Seventeen: Two Years Makes Me A Kid Brother?

Unlike James's grim prediction, the Potter's dinner party went off without a hitch. Thankfully, Hugo had seemed to take a liking to Scorpius, so Rose seemed to have decided to move up their relationship to "barely tolerated". When Rose had said bye to him before he left, Scorpius announced to Albus he could die happy.

Because of her poor letter writing abilities, Albus didn't have much of a connection with Nova over the summer. For this reason, he was especially excited to see her on the first day of school. He was also happy because his dad didn't make him take the Firebolt III. It had become something of a nemesis for Albus as he could never seem to be able to ride it. He had even considered writing to the company that their broom had failed the first customer in its history. 

The platform was very crowded so it was a struggle to pick his friends from the crowd. It was even harder due to the fact James was loudly giving him a set of rules right in this ear. 

"I'm a fourth year now and I've built a pretty solid reputation. I don't need want my kid brother..."

"Kid brother?" Albus said incredulously "You're only two years older than me."

"Once you hit thirteen years go by a lot faster. Anyways, there is no way I can be seen with you. Don't ask me dorky questions.."

"I never do anyways."

"Or try and buddy up with my friends..."

"Why would anyone?"

"Or tag along..."

Albus was getting impatient. He couldn't find either of his friends and James wasn't shutting up.

"Relax James. I'm an unpopular slithering Slytherin and I'll stay with all of my little friends. Happy?"

"Why don't you just relax? Most younger brothers would just suck it up."

Dad, who had been distracted by Lily's whining about not going to Hogwarts, gave them a look.

"Quit it you too. Of all the times to squabble..."

"Well squabble no more."

Albus turned around in surprise. Nova was there, fist raised.

"Hey there Albus."

James laughed at Albus's confusion at Nova's fist.

"I think she wants to fist bump genius."

Nova grinned.

"Is that done? I didn't know if you guys did it..."

Albus took a guess at what was required. He made a fist and lightly punched Nova's.

"Great job. Now you don't even need Muggle Studies."

James shook his head and walked out into the crowd.

Five minutes later, Nova and Albus were still searching the platform for Scorpius.

"Hey, Albus I just remembered. What happened to your uncle's ghost hunt?"

Albus shrugged.

"I haven't heard from him as of yet. Maybe he hasn't gotten permission yet."

Nova stopped walking around.

"Albus remember last time Scorpius wasn't on the platform. Because of his mother. You don't think..."

Albus looked at her.

"Please don't...You couldn't think?"

They both seemed to have the same thought and raced onto the train.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They searched compartment after compartment. Either he had gotten on very early and was at the end of the train, or...

"What if he isn't here Albus?"

Albus ignored her.

"Let's try the very end."

Albus looked into the last compartment on his left. It was full of some surly looking Gryffindor fifth years. 

On his right, however, he knew in an instant.

It seemed as if a sweet shop had exploded. Every inch of the floor and seats was covered in a thick layer of bright packaging. Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Cauldron Cakes, Pumpkin Pasties, and a huge amount of Peppermint Imps were everywhere, at least a hands thickness. He saw Scorpius with an open suitcase, sitting on top of it all. Despite the heartbreaking overlook of the situation, Nova couldn't refrain herself from saying something.

"That is some collection."

"Are you really serious right now? Let's go in."

Albus cautiously slid open the door. The trolley lady would have a heart attack if she saw this mess. He decided to skip any feeble pleasantries.

"Scorpius. Scorpius is she..."

"Yes. Yes. Yes." Scorpius said, whispering. 

Nova came in, closed the door behind her, and seemed to try for a gentle tone.

"Scorpius we can't fix this no matter how much we try. But we'll be there. Me and Albus. Always."

"She only died a few day ago. Somebody said to my dad to send me to school to help get my mind off it. What sort of idiocy is that?" Scorpius's voice began to become lounder.

"SHE'S DEAD AND I'M SUPPOSED TO FORGET ABOUT IT?"

The tears streaming down his face began to become sobs. Nova went and put her arms around him. That seemed to be her thing when dealing with upset people. 

As Scorpius cried on Nova, Albus, at a loss for words, began to try and clean up some of the sweets. He thought that it was a pretty bad idea to send Scorpius to school in this shape. If his mother ever died...

"I always seem to cry on this train," said Scorpius softly, a while late when he had calmed down. "I'm such a...dramatic."

Albus stared at him like he was crazy.

"If you did ten times that I still would find that in bounds for the situation."

"I hope I can get through his year. I really do. My father hates me so much he won't even let me grieve my own mother."

He sounded bitter now. He didn't sound like Scorpius.

"Don't say that," said Nova firmly, "Your father doesn't hate you. If you grew up in hate, you couldn't have been this amazing person. The Slytherin Six divided by two will get you through this."

"I thought we were going with the Silver Trio."