"Slytherin!"

That word, called out over a silent hall on the first of September, had changed Albus Severus Potters life forever.

He'd watched his family exchange glances, brows furrowed. Each and every one of them was sat at the Gryffindor table, with the exception of Rose, who sat across the room with the other Ravenclaws. But that was okay. Ravenclaw was okay.

But Slytherin?

The house that bred the darkest of evil, the house that raised the very man his father had spent half his life trying to defeat.

As he sat on the stool, a thousand eyes staring at him in shock, his heart beat faster, mouth going dry at the very thought of being put in Slytherin.

Its not that he had anything against the house, its just… he knew his family would think all kind of things, especially his father.

The great Harry Potter.

His father's fame had haunted him his whole life. They couldn't go out as a family without being stopped for photographs every thirty seconds. He couldn't make friends with muggle children, in case a wizard recognised him. And worst of all, everyone expected so much of him. They expected him to become an auror, just like his famous father.

But that's not what Albus wanted. He wanted to be a Gryffindor, stay with his family, stay loyal, but still be able to be an individual.

Unfortunately, life had other plans.


Ten years later, he was stood in the middle of a muddy pitch, face split open in a wide grin as he gripped his broom, dirt streaked across his face and a small, golden ball, wings fluttering weakly, clutched in his left hand.

"Mr Potter!"

"Look over here Mr Potter!"

"Smile Potter!"

His eyes sparkled as he turned from side to side, photographers scrambling over each other in an attempt to capture a picture of the man who had just caught the golden snitch, taking the national Quidditch team one step closer to the world finals.

"Can we ask you some questions Mr Potter?"

"Smile sir!"

He kept the grin on his lips as he turned to one journalist in particular, beaming. "Sure, ask away"

The woman blushed at the direct address, tugging on her skirt as she thrust the microphone forwards. "Who gives you the motivation for your career?"

Albus' grin softened into a smile, as he answered with two, simple words. "My boyfriend."


Up in the stands, a white-blonde head fought through the crowds on the stairs, holding his hand up to hide his face as several journalists snapped pictures of him.

"Mr Malfoy!"

"Smile for us sir!"

"How do you feel about this?"

He looked up and flashed a nervous smile, tugging on his jacket. "I feel…like I'm going to explode with pride."

The photographers grinned at his response, cameras clicking continuously. "Are you and Mr Potter planning anything for Christmas, Mr Malfoy?"

Scorpius gulped, keeping the nervous smile as he shrugged, replying with a casual "We haven't decided on anything yet", before he ducked down the stairs, jogging down to the official entrance to the pitch. Flashing his VIP tag at the security guard standing menacingly in front of the door, he pushed through, stumbling out onto the mud.

He stepped forward excitedly, and his foot slid beneath him, whizzing him across the wet patch before he completely lost his balance, and fell face first into the mud with a yelp.

Albus looked up from the photographers, eyes widening as he pushed the crowd out of the way, running over, brain emptying of everything other than the thought of helping his boyfriend up. However, this heroic act was pointless, because as soon as he stepped onto the mud, a few metres away from Scorpius, his legs flew apart, flinging him down next to the blonde.

"Argh!"

The couple lay in the dirt, streaked in brown as they slid around, scrambling desperately for some kind of foothold or solid surface.

Every camera lowered, the photographers deciding against capturing the most famous, rich, and important couple in the world, in such an awkward situation. Although it would be an amazing shot, funny too, the reporters were too smart to embarrass such an influential pair, who could potentially ruin their career.

After about five minutes of grabbing hands, several journalists falling, and splashing mud, Albus and Scorpius were back on their feet, outfits pristine and clean thanks to a hastily cast cleaning charm, courtesy of James, Albus' brother, who was also on the team.

"You alright?"

Scorpius turned his head, smiling softly as Albus checked on him, tangling their fingers together.

"Yeah" he murmured in reply, standing on his tiptoes to place a gentle kiss on his boyfriends cheek.

A thousand camera flashes went off at once, nearly blinding the couple as the crowd in front of them fought to capture the moment.

"Do it again Mr Potter!"

"Kiss him!"

"Smile for the camera dear!"

Albus rolled his eyes and chuckled. "That's enough for today."

A chorus of groans echoed around him as each journalist snapped a few more pictures before apparating away.

It took a minute for the last clicks to subside, and, apart from the management and people clearing up the pitch, along with half a million people still in the stands, Scorpius and Albus were (kind of) alone.

The blonde turned to his boyfriend, a proud smile on his face. "You were great"

"Aren't I always?" came the cocky reply, followed by a soft chuckle. Albus leant down, kissing Scorpius' head lightly and taking his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Did they ask you anything on the way down?"

Scorp nodded, still smiling as he followed Albus to the changing rooms, where the rest of the team had already hit the showers. "Yeah, they asked how I felt, and what we were doing for christmas."

Albus looked at him in surprise, raising his eyebrows as he left his broom on the bench, shoving the snitch in his locker along with the others, and tugging off his shirt. "But its only November!"

Scorpius shrugged, placing a tiny kiss on the back of his neck and humming. "Who knows. But either way, I've already thought of something."

His boyfriend eyed him suspiciously as he dropped the rest of his uniform to the floor, allowing the shorter boy a moment to ogle him as he chuckled, before wrapping a towel around his waist. "Oh really, Mr Malfoy? Would that something be coming to my parents house for Christmas dinner? Oh wait, I forgot! You hate my family."

Scorp rolled his eyes, leaning in the doorway of the shower room with a tiny blush. "I do not! I just…don't think they like me. I feel awkward there, Alby! Your dad and my dad were like, mortal enemies at school, so I don't think he likes the idea of his son being in love with a Malfoy!"

Albus stayed silent for a moment as the water sprayed over his chest, eyes closed in relaxation. "Scorpy, they really don't care about your name. Our parents reached a truce, and your nan saved my dads life, so, I think we're cool. Now, what exactly did you have planned?"

The blonde sighed, knowing he'd lost this argument for now. "I was thinking you could stay at mine over the holidays…"

Al smiled, stepping out from under the water and casting an extra cleaning charm to make sure he was free of all the dirt and grime. "We've been together as Christmas for over 3 years now, Scorpy. I always stay at yours, or you stay at mine."

"I meant…" Scorpius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Lets go back to yours, Mister Seeker, we'll talk later, ok?"

Albus nodded and grinned, taking his boyfriends hand with a gentle squeeze.

"I love you."

"Love you back."

With a simple twist and a slight flutter of wind in the middle of the changing rooms, the pair apparated away.


So, what do you think? I'm going to carry on with it regardless, but please review and tell me your opinions!

Next chapter: Scorp and Al go home, and they have a surprisingly deep conversation.