"Aunt Hermione?" Albus Potter's voice speaks tentatively, peeking into the Malfoy family study.

"Yes Albus?" the voice of his Aunt filters out warmly from within the room.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Albus questions, entering the room slowly.
"Just give me one minute. I need to write down the last paragraph of this parchment roll, and then you can have my full attention,"

Spying his aunt occupying the chair behind her desk while scribbling furiously on a sheaf of parchment, Albus turns and scans the multiple rows of books in one of the cases, no doubt purchased by his Uncle Draco for her. It is a well known fact that Hermione Malfoy loves books. A love that had been passed down to their twins, Carina and Scorpius Malfoy. Never were the children or their mother in want of books, that could be certain.

The scratching of the quill on her desk ceases a few moments later, allowing her to afford a gaze toward her surrogate nephew. Watching the young man of nineteen lost in thought, a crease in his brow at whatever occupies his mind, slightly worries the older witch. Rarely did much trouble the young wizard, other than the constant need to prove and distinguish himself outside of his own family.

"You seem troubled. Is something wrong dear?"

"I wanted to talk to you about-"

Before he can finish his sentence, a blonde haired boy strides confidently into the room, effectively silencing the statement Albus had planned on making. The change in Albus can be seen almost instantaneously, after spying his peer. His body stiffens before he glances away towards the ground, taking a sudden interest in the shoes upon his feet.

"Albus," Scorpius says, nodding his head to the side in acknowledgement, before shifting his gaze towards his mother.

"Mum, Dad, Carina and I were wondering if you'd like to keep score of the Quidditch game we're about to play,"
"Well, actually Albus and I-,"

"It's fine, really Aunt Hermione. I can come back another later. Enjoy your game," Albus stutters out, attempting to make a break for the door.

Before he can reach the exit however, Scorpius reaches out to grasp his left arm to stop the other boy, gazing at him steadily.

"You can stay, you know. We actually need an extra person to make the teams even, if you care to join," Scorpius says in a softer voice that his mother has rarely ever heard him use.

Cocking her head to the side, Hermione continues to look on with a new interest, wondering what the bloody hell is going on. A pink flush rises to Albus' cheeks, as he flicks his gaze up at her son cautiously. Albus had always been a shy boy, unlike her Scorpius. He too had inherited his father's outgoing manner, as Albus had inherited Harry's innately quiet nature.

"I'm not that good, compared to the lot of you. I wouldn't be of much help,"

"What are you talking about Albus? You're one of the best fliers I know, next to me of course," Scorpius winks down at the shorter, blue eyed boy.

"You're so full of yourself Scor," Albus quietly admonishes.

"Am I, or am I not the best flier you've ever seen?"

"I believe James would disagree with you."

"Of course he would. I'm not asking for his opinion though, I'm asking for yours."

"You'll always be the best to me, Scor. You know that," Albus murmurs, glancing down again at his feet.

It hadn't taken long for Hermione to deduce the feeling behind the words being spoken. Suddenly, she feels the heat of embarrassment at being caught in the middle of a clearly private discussion. Casting a silent Disillusionment Charm, she quietly walks out of the room, leaving both boys to continue their conversation.

"Do I?" Scorpius asks, cocking an eyebrow at him, while he crosses his arms.

"You should,"

"Why is that, Albus?"

"Arghh. Do you need me to spell it out for you?"

"That would be preferable, yes."

"You bloody tosser," Albus whispers under his breath.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you?"

"I care about you, alright! It's not as if you didn't already know this. Half the school is aware, apparently. A fact which, I'm sure, they have wasted no time in telling you!" Albus spits out angrily, while raising his voice.

"You're cute when you're angry," Scorpius states, before advancing on the other Slytherin.

"What're you on about?"

"You are so clueless."

Rolling his eyes, Scorpius closes the gap, pulling Albus close against his body as he does so. The movement causes Albus' breath to catch in his throat, and his body to seize up. Leaving no room for argument, the blonde leans down, pressing his lips into the other wizard's. A small whine emits the latter's mouth, as the taller of the two presses his tongue against his mouth. However, Albus pulls away, glaring up at Scorpius.

"Is this your idea of a joke?"

"You've known me long enough to know I don't joke when it comes to something like this, Al."

"Have I? For months, you've known how I feel, and yet you have not said a word. Now, all of a sudden you decide you want to snog me, for, for what?"

"I had to be sure I was not merely a passing fancy for you."
"Why would you ever think that you could be, Scor?" Albus inquires, slowly calming down.

"Just imagine for a moment what would happen if you became my boyfriend, and then a few months later, you decide that you've changed your mind about me? We're practically family! Even though we are not related by blood, you have always called my mum and dad Aunt Hermione and Uncle Draco. The fallout of a break up like that, would be hard on not just us, but everyone else as well,"

"You want me to be your boyfriend?" Albus chokes out.

"Of course I do! Have you not been listening to a word I've spoken? You're the only one I see, Al," Scorpius murmurs, cupping Albus' left cheek.

This time it's the dark haired wizard who jumps forward, wrapping his arms around the taller Slytherin. Embracing each other fervently, neither notices the footsteps of another enter the room. Carina Malfoy spies the pair, and smirks. Looking through her grey eyes and long blonde hair, the dainty witch watches the pair spring apart in amusement, noting they do not stray far from each other.

"Finally wised up, have you? I'll leave the pair of you to it then. The Quidditch game can wait, as you both are otherwise engaged at the moment. See you both later,"

The young witch saunters off, singing happily to herself as she makes her way down the hall, glad that her twin brother is finally allowing himself to be happy. Within the room, the pair of wizard's resume their embrace, glad to be left to their own devices once again.