Albus had always had a lot to live up to. Even though his family was pretty dysfunctional, they were still talented. James was good at Quidditch, so was his mother. His cousin's got pretty good grades, and they were funny. Lily was young but she had the potential of an incredibly bright student. Oh, and let's not forget that his father defeated Lord Voldemort. You could say that it was pretty hard to live up to that one. Add all of that on top of the fact that he was The Boy Who Lived's son and Albus was a ticking time bomb of stress.

He sat next to his brother at the Gryffindor table with an empty stomach awaiting the sorting. Albus recalled his sorting as pretty terrifying. All of the stories that James had told him were running through his head and, despite his father's words of wisdom, he was still frightened of getting sorted into Slytherin. It just didn't seem like the place to be. During his first year he had also found his best friend. It started out as just the two complaining about their family. Albus had said something along the lines of "and James'll never let me forget that he got into Hogsmeade before I did."
Scorpius had given him a calculated look, as though trying to decide if he was trust worthy. "Can you keep a secret?"
Albus nodded solemnly.
That night they had snuck into Hogsmeade, forming an unlikely friendship that had lasted years.

Fast forward a couple years, third year, to be exact, and Albus found himself second guessing his every action around Scorpius. He had learned at a young age that perfection was important. He was, after all, Harry Potter's son. Maybe that's why he felt so bad whenever he found himself admiring the way Scorpius smiled, or the way he brushed his hair out of his eyes. Boys like Albus weren't supposed to like their best friends, they were supposed to like the pretty girls that giggled whenever he was near Monday came and went, and once again Albus found himself complaining about the teachers, and some of the classes. Most of the professor's only liked him because of his parentage. Professor McGonagall was the only one who really valued him for his talent in her class. Well, besides the Defense Against Dark Arts professor, but that was more dislike than value. And considering Albus disliked him as well, and was always looking for a reason to prove him wrong, that lesson was particularly bad. But, to be fair, Scorpius was as much to blame for it.
The days subject was on werewolves, but that's not what made it bad. You see, the professor was very anti-werewolf.
After a long rant about how dangerous they were, Scorpius leaned over and muttered in Albus' ear, "You should mention Remus Lupin."
Ignoring the shivers that his breath sent down Albus' spine and how nice his lips felt against his skin, Albus looked at him as though he were a genius.
So, Albus pulled an Aunt Hermione and raised his hand as high as it would go.
The professor gave him a cold look. "Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, sir, what about Remus Lupin. A good friend of my father's, and my grandfather's. He died here, at Hogwarts, defending it against Lord Voldemort and his death eaters."
The class was silent. The professor glared. "Ten points from Gryffindor."
"But-" Albus began to protest. "Make that fifteen."
He let out a few choice words under his breath. Scorpius stifled his laugh, and Albus felt a little better.

Albus hated his cousin. Rose was just too perfect, too pretty, and too female. He hated the twinge of jealousy he felt whenever his best friend gushed about their most recent date or kiss. He was fifteen years old and he was supposed to be over this stupid crush on this stupid, perfect boy. He should be going on dates with pretty girls, too. Not being jealous of them.
Finally, at around three in the morning, Albus grew tired of his thoughts. He stole a bottle of firewhiskey from one of the older student, and made his way to the Quidditch field.
That's where he spent the next hour, drunk out of his mind and trying to count the stars. That's where Scorpius found him. That's where he sat down next to him. That's where he pressed his lips against Scorpius' even though he knew that it could potentially ruin their friendship. He didn't pull away, though.

They hadn't spoken in two weeks. Scorpius and Rose were still dating, and Christmas was coming Scorpius did seem a bit depressed lately, and Albus hated the satisfaction whenever he hesitated to kiss Rose.
It was Friday when Lily cornered him. "Are you okay, Al?" He shrugged and refused to look at her. She sighed.
"I don't think Scor likes Rose anymore." She said. Then she waited a few moments. When he didn't reply, she continued. "I mean, I don't see him looking at anyone. But Rose says he is. She won't say who, though." Her tone clearly implied 'Albus what did you do?'
"Go away, Lily."
And she did. He loved his sister for never prying.
Albus finally apologized. All at once he was happy, he had his friend back, and he had plans for Christmas. Though his parents knew that he was bringing a friend home, they didn't know who. He'd only really informed Lily of his plan.

Albus sat fidgeting by the fireplace. Scorpius was late. What if his parents had decided not to let him go? What if he had gotten into trouble? Almost every one of Albus' family members were waiting in the dining room to meet Albus' friend. Minus Rose, who had stayed at Hogwarts since she and her mother were fighting.

Finally, the fire turned green, and out stepped Scorpius covered in soot and smiling.
When they entered the kitchen everyone stared. Scorpius' cheeks were cutely shaded pink. It was his mother who spoke first. "Scorpius, right? Malfoy?"
"Yes ma'am." Scorpius replied quietly. "Ah, well it's nice to have you. Why don't you and Albus have a seat. Dinner's almost ready."
However, not everyone was as welcoming. "What are you doing here?" James asked rudely. Albus gave Scorpius no time to respond. "He was invited." He told his brother coldly.
A few others started to complain, but Ginny's voice silenced them. "It's my house, and I'm happy to welcome him here."
And they ate dinner.
Albus told his mother and father about all their adventures together. Leaving out the most recent one involving a Quidditch field, of course. Scorpius answered Hermione's questions about his and Rose's relationship.
Albus was… well, he was happy.

Albus was seventeen years old and he was drunk again on the last night of his education. The tallest tower in Hogwarts was his favorite place to go, and since the man he was in love with was marrying his cousin he had a pretty good reason to be up there.
After a while of searching, Scorpius found him up there, and apologized. He gave Albus a soft kiss on the lips which Albus turned into skin on skin and sloppy kisses and soft cries of sadness.
Afterwards Scorpius gathered his clothes and with a whispered "I love you." He was gone, leaving Albus to sob naked in a ball, thinking about the wedding he was to best man to.