Harry Potter and the Story Without Delphi

Chapter Thirteen: The Rip-Off Superheroes Are Born

The rest of Christmas break went by quite smoothly. Albus was roped into more Quidditch games then he would have liked, but the beaming look on his dad's face every time he rode the Firebolt III was worth it. Faster than he realized, it was the eve of their return to Hogwarts.

Despite the excitement to return to school around the house, Albus was slowly dreading going back to Hogwarts. The awkward stares and subtle insults were never really fun, but at least he would see Scorpius again. The trio could brave anything .

He had just finished packing when there was a knock on the door. Nova, without waiting for an answer, strode in.

"Finished packing?"

"Thanks for knocking."

"I thought it was nice to give you the warning."

"Anyways, your Grandmother told me to call you for dinner."

At dinner, they feasted like kings. Albus would miss Grandma's food at Hogwarts. The taste was never as good.

"Excited to show off your new broom?" Dad inquired.

Albus forced a grin.

"Definitely." 

"If you practice enough, you might make the Quidditch team next year!"

Albus couldn't think of a better way to further dampen his school experience, but he kept the grin on his face and nodded.

His mum gave him a funny look. She obviously wasn't fooled by the performance but stayed quiet.

Dinner went on, with Nova continuously thanking everyone for letting her stay for the break.

"It really is alright Nova," said mum, getting tired, "One extra person wasn't any trouble."

"Alright, but thank you again."

Mum sighed, along with Grandma.

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The Hogwarts Express stood on the tracks in all of its scarlet glory as the last goodbyes were said.

"I'll be alright dad," Albus said for the third time, "Really, honestly."

"Let me know if you ever have a hard time. Tell James if you need help."

Albus could think of why James would be of any use, but he didn't see the point of telling his dad.

"Bye then."

He and Nova went out to seek Scorpius. He wasn't on the platform, so they began to search compartments.

Eventually, they found him. He was staring out the window, the space next to him covered in sweets, like it had been at the beginning of first year.

Albus slid open the door, excited to ee him again.

"Back at it again with the sweets huh? Who are you trying to make friends with?"

Scorpius looked at him and Nova. He gave a small smile, but he was obviously upset.

"Scorpius what's wrong?" Nova said quickly.

"It's...it's noth..."

"Don't you dare tell me it's nothing."

"My mum is sick. Very sick."

"She isn't..."

"No, she's not dead. But very close. I know she is. Why did they have to force me to come back?"

Tears filled Scorpius's eyes. He slammed is fist on the pile of sweets and his voice rose.

"What if she dies? And I won't even be there? What type of son am I? I can't read about her death in a letter!"

His crying intensified. 

"SHE'S DYING AND I'M NOT THERE!"

He began to sob. Albus stood frozen. He had never seen Scorpius cry.

Nova, only momentarily startled, threw the sweets off the seat and sat down next to him. She hesitated, but then put her arms around him. Albus understood it wasn't a romantic gesture. They were the only friends Scorpius had, and they needed to be there for him.

"She can't leave me. She can't she can't. I love her. She can't die on me."

Nova stroked his hair.

"Shh it's ok. Relax Scorpius."

They had only known each other for a few months, but it was as if they had been lifelong friends.

Scorpius continued to sob on Nova's shoulder. Albus took the seat across, and the train began to pick up speed.

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Halfway through the train ride, Scorpius had stopped crying and kept apologizing.

"What type of greeting was that? I'm really sorry. Your shoulder is probably soaked too. I'm such a crybaby, I was way too dramatic."

Nova shook her head. 

"Why are you apologizing? If your friends don't help you, who will?"

"We haven't even known each other that long, and here I am pushing my baggage on you.

"You're upset about your mother being sick and we're supposed to be mad at you?" Albus said dryly.

"I swear the whole train heard me. What are they all going to think?"

Nova grinned.

"The same as they thought before. A group of losers."

Albus smiled.

"The boy who's dad is a Quidditch legend, yet he can't even mount a broom properly."

"The girl who despite being a mud blood is a Slytherin."

"The boy who's Voldemort Jr."

Scorpius sighed.

"What a team we make."

"The Slytherin Six divided by two."

Albus had a thought.

"Are we coming up with names? Because I have a candidate."

"By all means Mr.Potter."

"I've heard people call my dad and his friends the golden trio. We're a trio right?"

Nova shuddered.

"Not gold. Nasty Gryffindor colour that is."

She paused.

"The green trio?"

Scorpius gave her a look.

"The silver trio sounds better."

Nova's eyes lit up.

"Right! Because gold is sort of like silver. But we sound like a rip off superhero gang."

"A what gang?"

Nova gave them an incredulous look.

"Wizards are really missing out sometimes. I bet you've never heard of the Internet."

Albus thought for a moment.

"I feel like Aunt Hermione might have mentioned it..."