Eleven-year-old Albus, just like the one about to turn seventeen, wasn't excessively fond of his cousin. If he wanted her company, it was because even at that age she was already a little strong-willed woman who could make the weakest person - or Albus - feel protected. As a scared and insecure boy, Albus had needed Rose's protection then, just as he now craved Scorpius" protection and obeyed his every order for that purpose.