[OOM] Breakfast in the Great Hall

[honourbyname]

Albus is in the Great Hall, helping himself to a plate scrambled eggs and toast (with jam).

Rose has just left to join her fellow Gryffindors.

(But before leaving Albus to his breakfast, told him, "I look forward to meeting Scorpius. Properly."

With one of those grins of hers that can only mean trouble.)


It's been two days since they first got back to Hogwarts, and Seventh Year has - thus far - been full of homework and reminders that they ought to study their very hardest if they wanted to pass all their NEWTs.

And that their career meetings with their Head of House would be coming up in a week.

There is a lot weighing on Albus' mind.

A lot of which has to do with Oxford, and Scorpius, and the future.

He takes a bite of his toast and ponders this, while more and more students start to trickle into the Great Hall for breakfast before classes.

Comments

[alsoagreengrass]

Scorpius frowns, taking in the slump of Albus' shoulders. He makes certain no one is listening to them and then -

"Yes. Absolutely."

He truly believes such, too.

"Listen - If you're thinking about the practical side of it, we're in Ravenclaw. 'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure' and all that. Learning is encouraged. And that's what you'd be heading off to Oxford to do, right? Learn. It'd be mad to think you'd come away with nothing from the experience.

"And if you're concerned about no one having done it before - I think - Times were different before. A lot were scared and preoccupied with the wars. And, before those, associating with the Muggle community - Well. It's different now."

Somehow, and someway, he knows that Albus can do this. He can make it something real.

[honourbyname]

Albus, who had been staring at his toast (suddenly losing his appetite), glances in Scorpius' direction, green eyes almost seeking validation for this seemingly outrageous idea.

(Because it is outrageous, isn't it?)

Even if Scorpius is making a whole lot of sense.

A tentative smile crosses his features, and a comforting sort of warmth settles in his stomach not unlike what Scorpius had just experienced.

He's right. Everything's different since the Boy Who Lived (his dad) helped to save the world. People don't care about Muggles and blood purity anymore; and the very few who do are commonly looked upon with pity more than anything else.

A moment's pause, and then Albus nods.

"You're right," he says, gratitude filling his words. "And their English program really, really does sound amazing."

[alsoagreengrass]

"You're to tell me about it later," Scorpius orders of him, turning away with a grin before he gets too lost in those green eyes and becomes fodder for the gossipers.

[honourbyname]

"All right," Albus promises, his smile growing just a little wider.

The phrase 'saved by the bell' has never been truer as far as gossip fodder is concerned when the clocktower suddenly chimes the end of breakfast and the transition to their first class of the morning.

Albus has a last gulp of his drink before gathering his book-bag and slinging it over his shoulder.


"Um. I'll come fine you later, then?"

[alsoagreengrass]

As Scorpius nods -

"Later, then."

- and beams happily as he gathers his things (and a few more slices of toast to munch on in transit, having been late to breakfast), he begins to believe this year might just be the best ever.

A good chat with Albus always puts him in a hopeful mood.

He's almost looking forward to classes.