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Chapter 1

Scorpius came rushing into the room, sifting surreptitiously through Albus' things, searching for his cufflinks. He found them in a trainer, halfway under Albus' bed.

"Whatuduin?" Albus groaned, getting up, "you don't live here anymore, why are you in my room?" he demanded, wiping the sleep from his eyes and throwing a pillow at Scorpius.

He sighed in reply, straightening his shirt sleeves and putting the cufflinks on, his lips pursed. "Just because I don't live here anymore, doesn't mean you still don't have things I own. Mind you, expensive things that you should never have 'borrowed' from me."

"All right, pansy," Albus said tiredly, turning in his bed, away from Scorpius who was still standing there.

"It's 8 o'clock, don't you think it's time to get dressed, for work and everything?" Scorpius asked, shrugging on his jacket, that was over his shoulder and straightening his collars.

Albus shrugged, "it's not like there is anything to do, just filing old things," he murmured.

Scorpius sighed, hating Albus' attitude and disorder. He wondered how Albus managed to keep his job, and then he remembered that it was because he was strangely good at it. So good he had managed to rake in 50% more revenue this year than last year.

"You get out of bed and get dressed and I'll buy you an Apple Danish from that Muggle bakery you like," he said simply, picking his messenger bag up from the floor.

Albus straightened up quickly, a look of pure delight on his features. "With pecans?" he asked.

Scorpius rolled his eyes and nodded, "yes, whatever, just get dressed. I'll give you 10 minutes."

He didn't even have to finish what he was saying before Albus shot out of bed and straight into the bathroom, the water was on for probably a single minute before Albus came out again, stark naked, but because of the speed of which he was moving, he was fully dressed within another minute. Scorpius was laughing at his actions when Albus stood in front of him, wearing a pair of jeans, trainers, a t-shirt that read 'Keep Calm and Carry On' and his rucksack on his back. His hair looked like a birds nest and he hadn't bothered shaving.

"Not brushing your teeth?" Scorpius asked, making his disgust evident.

"If I do that, the Danish won't taste any good, will it?" he replied obviously, holding onto Scorpius' arm as they Disapparated and Apparated into the alley way of the Bakery.

Albus went ahead, rushing into the shop and looking with wide eyes at the baked goods, picking out a good three different Danishes; Apple, Maple & Pecan and Custard.

Scorpius strolled in, asking for a coffee and rolled his eyes at Albus. "I said one, can you not count?"

"You gave me 10 minutes, I did it in 2, I deserve three, it's only right," Albus replied, reaching greedily for the Danishes while Scorpius paid, also purchasing a coffee for Albus.

As they walked down the road of a London street a couple streets away from the Ministry, Albus messily ate the Danishes, getting looks from other commuters, including Scorpius who was holding the two coffees, sipping from the black with no sugar.

"You look disgusting Albus, do you really have to embarrass me so much?" Scorpius asked, shaking his head.

Albus snorted, swallowing the custard Danish and placing the remains of the other two in his rucksack. "Says you, the one going out with my cousin, how embarrassing can you get?" He took the coffee from Scorpius' hand and began drinking.

Scorpius rolled his eyes, "you're ridiculous, it has been 6 years, you'd think you would get over it," he stated, seeing his breath as he breathed out, it being uncommonly cold for April.

"You'd think you would get over it," Albus returned, a grin on his face.

Scorpius glared at Albus, "Rose is not an it," he said, breathing out in annoyance.

"I should think so," a voice said, coming between the two, "it would be most unsettling," Rose continued with a grin on her face.

"Why are you here? You do not work with us, why do you continuously interrupt our male bonding time?" Albus asked with a grimace, though Rose only gave him a quick hug in reply and a kiss to the cheek.

"Good morning to you too Albus," she said, pulling her gloves onto her fingers tighter and sipping at the tea in her hands, "I'm surprised Scorpius managed to get you out of bed so early," she said. "I was convinced he wouldn't manage it, though I suppose he coaxed you out with something?" she asked.

"Several Danishes," Scorpius said, "completely cleaned me out."

Albus laughed loudly as they turned a corner, "says the billionaire."

"I'm not a billionaire Albus," Scorpius replied laughing.

Rose snorted, similarly to Albus minutes ago, "come on, be honest Scorp, we all know you have Galleons hidden under the floorboards and Daddy has opened up your trust fund."

Scorpius grimaced, "I hate you both," he stated, drinking his coffee and throwing the empty cup in a bin.

"Now that's not true," Albus said, "you don't buy pastries for people you hate," he said with a wink and Rose chuckled with him.

"I absolutely hate it when you two gang up on me like this, it is my father's money, not mine, and anyway, you should both watch your tongues or you could end up getting terrible Birthday presents next year."

Albus frowned but Rose grinned and grabbed onto his arm. "You wouldn't do that now, would you?" she asked with a false frown, fluttering her eyelashes, "I'm really in need of new curse-breaking tools."

"And I need a new broom," Albus said, trying to mimic what Rose was doing by grabbing onto Scorpius' other arm and looking up at him forlornly.

"I say again, I hate you both, I'm not a bank," he said, pushing their arms away.

Rose chortled, "you sound like my dad."

Scorpius grimaced, "though I suppose I'll have to get him something especially unique for Christmas this year, won't I? His birthday present last month didn't exactly go down a treat."

"No," Rose said, "he doesn't deserve anything, that selection of limited edition collectible cards was far too much, and I know he loves them, he is just too ridiculous to say thank you and appreciate you, don't worry about him." Rose had gone slightly red and breathed to calm herself down. "I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am about that," she said, running a hand through her red curls.

He shrugged and sighed, "one day, hey?" he said, trying to lighten her expression.

She frowned and nodded, seeing the Ministry up ahead. "Well I'm off, see you later and Albus, if you really get too bored, just go see Uncle George, I think he'd do with your help. And if you even think of stepping within 50 metres of Gringotts, I will kill you personally and not leave it to the Goblins.

Albus gave an off-hand reply and Rose flitted off, disappearing into an alley and they heard the familiar pop that meant she had Disapparated.

"I agree with her Albus, you're going to end up getting me fired, and then you'd have numerous people after you," Scorpius said seriously, though he was smiling. "At least wait until Lunch or something."

"You're just saying that because she didn't kiss you, problems at home?" He said smarmily, sounding like a child.

Scorpius looked confused, "what?"

But Albus had sped up and disappeared into the building through a secret entrance, leaving Scorpius annoyed.

XxX

Like the good friend Albus was, he decided to not visit Scorpius until lunchtime, bringing with him a box of half eaten Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, not exactly a lunch. Therefore Scorpius had to again buy both of them lunch in the Canteen.

"I really should write down how much you owe me," Scorpius said, biting into his brie and grape sandwich, Albus grimacing.

"You are treated with my company, let's call it even," he replied, eating his sausage and bacon sandwich with vigour.

Albus felt the seat next to him fill and turned to see Violet Zabini slide into the seat, her own lunch on a tray in her hands. She sat, and grabbed at her water with her left hand and took a drink.

"Afternoon," she said with a smile, taking up her fork and sifting through her salad.

Scorpius smiled, "what brings you here Vi? Don't you normally have lunch with Alastair?" He asked, Alastair Nott being his cousin and the boyfriend of Violet.

She nodded, swallowing, "he's looking in on a surgery, apparently someone was looking after their own pet dragon in their back garden, and it got out of control, the same old at St Mungo's, your sister would have heard about it Al," Violet replied, moving a strand of dark hair from her face, again with her left hand. "Notice anything different?" she asked innocently.

Scorpius shrugged and took another bite of his sandwich, "did you get a haircut?"

Violet shook her head.

"Did you get a promotion?" Scorpius asked, taking another bite of his sandwich.

She shook her head again.

Albus sighed, "did you fall into a vat of toxic waste and your face became deformed beyond recognition?" he asked with an expression of boredom.

Violet sent him one of her death glares and shook her head. She then took her left hand and held it in front of Scorpius' face, him clearly seeing the large diamond ring on her fourth finger.

"Oh," he said simply, pausing momentarily before taking another bite of his sandwich.

Violet sighed and put her hand back down, "I would have wanted you to be much more excited about this, screaming throughout the whole lunch hall saying 'Violet's going to be my cousin-in-law, yippee for me! Violet who has known me my whole life, and who is practically family, is going to actually be my family now! I'm so happy, I can hardly describe it', like that." She finished, a frown on her lips as she ate a tomato.

"Yay," Scorpius shouted, feigning charisma, which made Violet glare at him. "Congratulations Violet," he continued with a smile. "My mother will be pleased her nephew is getting married."

Violet smiled and turned to Albus who had been grimacing the whole time, looking as if he had smelt something bad. "Problem Albus?" she asked kindly, eating a leaf from her salad.

"Yes, you're making the biggest mistake of your life," he stated clearly.

Scorpius rolled his eyes and put his head in his hands, "Albus, please."

"No Scorpius, let him say what he wishes. Why?" Violet asked, putting her fork down and turning to Albus.

"Marriage is a symptom of love, love is an unneeded emotion, that only ruins us in the long run," he replied, then he took a huge bite of his sandwich.

Her eyebrow rose and she thought, "really? I always thought love was the most important emotion, love conquers all, remember?" she said.

Albus shook his head, "that's just a load of bull that people like to spout off about so that we can all be a 'more harmonious Wizarding community'," Albus said, mimicking the Ministers voice.

"You really can't believe that Al? Your whole love boycott is completely ridiculous, you know that right? You are aware that you love your family." Scorpius said, his hand resting against his forehead.

"I'm not in love with my family, I'd never want to be in love, being in love is probably the worst form of control. People can get you to do anything if they threaten the ones you love."

"That goes for your family too," Scorpius replied, but Albus waved him off.

Albus turned to Violet again, who had a somewhat amused expression on her face, "at the end of the day Violet, you are just adding more fuel to this love monster, and at some point you won't ever be able to escape."

Violet smirked, "would that point be when children come into the mix?" she asked, trying not to laugh at Albus' ridiculousness.

"That hardly matters, just don't drag any of us down with you." He added, sending her a stern look.

This time she did laugh, Scorpius with her, "you make it sound like a disease, Merlin Albus, it's really not that bad."

Albus froze at the words, the echoes of what Scorpius had said 6 years ago, which had began Albus' tirade which had led onto his being 'cursed'. He didn't speak at all and Scorpius raised an eyebrow.

"Vi, I think you triggered a bad memory," Scorpius said with a grin, finishing his sandwich.

"Like what? Merlin Scorpius, the company you keep," she laughed and swallowed, "speaking of which, you don't think Rose would mind if I asked her to be a bridesmaid?"

Scorpius shook his head, "I think she'd love that."

"Great, now I have my bridesmaids sorted and we've got our best man." She was stopped by Scorpius' look of confusion.

"Who?"

Violet rolled her eyes, "obviously you, come on Scorpius, don't be silly." Violet turned to the still frozen Albus and smiled, "and should I bother to send you an invite if you are so against marriage and love?" she asked.

Scorpius replied for him, "he'll be happy to attend Violet, and he'll bring a present as well."

Albus glared at Scorpius, who shrugged it off.

"I really can't understand you," Violet started, moving a baby tomato around in her plate with her fork. "It's a natural thing Albus, you'll understand it one day, the day when a girl captures your heart and for one fleeting moment, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it." Violet practically sang, smiling whimsically and sighing contently.

"I will not fall in love," Albus replied adamantly, hitting the table with his fists and attracting the attention of other Ministry officials.

"Okay, okay Albus," Violet replied defensively. "You won't, okay."

Scorpius was chuckling, and wiping his mouth with a tissue. "You are starting to sound a lot like your mother, Vi, are you sure you're not cut out for a career as a Love Guru?"

Violet laughed statically, "watch it Malfoy, I know how to curse and get away with it." Violet started to rearrange her things on her plate and picked up her bag. "My flat later Scorpius, bring Rose and I suppose Albus here. And cheer up Albus, love isn't all bad." She took off, putting her things in a pile on the dirty plates table and noticing her brother, Dino, walk in, she jumped at him with a smile.

"Lucky you, getting Violet as a cousin," Albus said with a smirk. "Though I despise that I have to join you four," Albus pretended to vomit.

"It's not like I'm repeating Sixth Year again, she was a really harsh Head girl you know?" Scorpius shrugged and leant back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling. "Albus, if you actually bothered trying to pass your Apparition test, you wouldn't have to come. Or it would be an idea to actually find out where you actually live."

He pushed up his bottom lip, looking like a child. "I've wasted too much money on those stupid tests, and I've been splinched 10 times."

"I suppose you're lucky that you haven't lost anything...vital," Scorpius replied.

Albus frowned and rolled his eyes, "oh shove off, but you've got to make a promise."

Scorpius laughed, "again? What do you want me to promise this time?"

"Promise me you'll never marry Rose," he said.

Scorpius looked at him with an impassive look, before bursting out laughing, nearly swinging the chair back so far that it would hit the floor with any sudden movement. "Come off it Al, you know I can't promise that."

Albus glowered and sank into his chair, "you can't say I didn't try."

"Hey, but wouldn't you want to be my cousin-in-law?" he asked with a grin, nudging Albus with his foot.

"Not if what you and Rose have becomes legal," he replied solemnly.

Scorpius burst out laughing again, shaking his head with laughter. "I've got to go Al, before you actually make me injure myself laughing," Scorpius said getting up and patting Albus on the shoulder before escaping, convulsing with laughter as he went.

Albus sat there, still and unhappy.

XxX

Albus leaned against the wall of Scorpius and Rose's flat with a scrunched up top lip and a look of annoyance painted on his face. Rose was changing in the next room, while Scorpius was sorting through the things in his bag.

"Do you have to look so brooding?" Scorpius asked, looking at Albus out of the corner of his eye.

"I have to practically go on a double date, without a date," he exclaimed, kicking at the wall and receiving a shout from Rose.

Scorpius laughed, "this is not a date, this is a simple dinner, you are receiving free food, you just need to calm down. Merlin, you'd think we were sending you to get tortured. Plus you don't do dates, so how would you even know?"

Albus gave him an obvious look, "this is a form of torture, no matter how cruel and unusual it is, and I've watched a couple of films, I get the gist."

"You know, I really do wish you'd get a girlfriend, because then I wouldn't have to deal with this. It would be even better if you actually fell in love."

As soon as the word 'love' was uttered, Albus spat and the door next to him opened.

"Why are you spitting in my flat?" Rose shouted, she was dressed in a jumper and jeans, however the jeans were not fully done up.

"Because I am disgusted," Albus stated.

Rose rolled her eyes and flapped her arms in defeat, "you're ridiculous Albus. Absolutely ridiculous." She finished buttoning her bottoms and moved into the kitchen, grabbing her coat and scarf that she had left on a chair and she pulled her fingers through her curls.

"Maybe we should leave before he starts burning the furniture, just to object to love," Scorpius stated, a hand running through the back of his hair.

Rose faked a laugh, and held out her arms for the two men to take.

Albus reluctantly sauntered over to her and took an arm, while Scorpius took the other with a grin.

They Apparated just outside of Alastair and Violet's flat, and before either of them could ring the bell, Violet had opened the door and ushered them inside.

She pushed them into the dining area, and taking coats, let them all sit down and pour drinks for themselves.

Alastair came through the bedroom door and sat down around the table smiling at them all, "nice to see you Albus, still haven't passed your Apparition test?" he asked, even though he knew the answer.

Albus grimaced and drank the Butterbeer that was laid in front of him. "I'm only here for the free food, okay, no other reason."

Scorpius rolled his eyes and Violet entered from the kitchen, plates of food hovering around her and then landing in front of everyone.

"Rose," Violet started, sitting down and beginning to cut her meat. "Scorpius may have told you already, but I'd like you to be my bridesmaid."

Rose smiled, "yes he did and I'd be honoured. When were you planning on this event then?"

"July or August," Alastair said casually, forking a vegetable into his mouth.

"Why are you so okay with this?" Albus said, directing his question at Alastair.

"Well I did ask her, so I should be, and we have been together for nearly 10 years," Alastair replied with incredulity. "Though I suppose you wouldn't exactly understand that Albus. You being how you are and all."

Violet swallowed and pointed her fork at Albus, "stop complaining, you won't be the one getting married. So there is no need for you to get so irritated about it all."

"Merlin, I wish," Rose muttered, drinking some wine from her glass.

Scorpius laughed softly while chewing.

"So does this mean you're going to be doing any fittings anytime soon?" Rose asked, taking another bite of her meal.

Violet nodded, "We were thinking of having a measurement session on the 5th of May. Is that okay for you both?"

Scorpius and Rose both nodded but Albus shook his head, receiving confused looks from all four of them.

"Scorpius needs to take me down to my Uncles House in Tinworth," Albus said simply.

Scorpius turned to him with a raised eyebrow, "since when?"

"Since now," Albus stated.

Violet's expression was not amused and she rolled her eyes, "I hope you don't insist on ruining my wedding Albus Potter. I may just have to jinx you, or worse."

Rose chuckled, "I'd watch it Al, worse could end with you spending a month in St Mungo's."

Alastair grimaced, "then he'd be torturing me all of the time."

Scorpius sighed, "I suppose I'll have to take one for the team and continue being tortured by Albus Potter."

Albus rolled his eyes, "fine, don't take me to Tinworth, I'll just tag along, shall I?"

"You won't take no for an answer, will you?" Alastair asked, laughing softly but rubbing at his forehead.

Violet watched Albus cautiously, her mouth set in a pout, thinking about what exactly to do about Albus. She didn't exactly trust him not to make a mess of things. He'd done so before. Always wanting to get his way could result in disastrous consequences. One of those consequences could well be the disaster and destruction of her wedding. Violet hated hitches, she wanted her wedding to be hitch-less. She knew just as well as anyone that if Albus wasn't in some way preoccupied, he could become a menace.

She thought of a solution sort of like hanging an old shoe in front of a playful dog, it would at least give her time to organise her wedding with Scorpius, who was the toy the dog really wanted to play with.

She sighed knowing that a plan would be in order, a harmless plan, in fact, a plan which Albus may in fact enjoy himself she thought.

Violet wasn't a mean person, even though many could beg to differ. She knew how important the friendship between Scorpius and Albus was, however Albus would have to wait a couple months to get his best friend back, because she had plans and all she wanted was perfection. Something, as a former Slytherin and Head Girl, she was perfectly able to get.

"Albus, this is a one off okay," Violet began delicately, "you may come to the fitting."

They all looked at Violet with shock, Rose with some level of disgust. "Are you serious? He could make a mess of the whole thing!" Rose exclaimed.

Violet nodded, smiling a genuine smile at Albus, "I trust he can behave himself for at least a day, and if he makes a mess he'll have to pay for it, and that's that."

Scorpius had his eyebrows raised and he turned to Albus, "you sure you can't get on a broom? Take the Knight Bus? Floo-in? Drive? Run? Walk? Port-key?" Scorpius asked.

Albus laughed and leaned back against his chair, "no chance, that Bus is a rip-off, my broom is being refurbished, plus it's not exactly Muggle-seeing-proof. Uncle Bill has had his chimney removed from the Floo-network, I can't drive, and can't afford a taxi all the way there. You know I'm not going to walk or run there and a port-key would take ages to order." He finished with a winning smirk, and Scorpius groaned.

"I apologize beforehand Violet," he said, turning to his future cousin-in-law.

Violet nodded calmly, a sneaky smile on her face. Only Alastair understood the look and he knew she was up to something. The rest of them just continued eating, Albus feeling especially elated at having got his way.

Thanks for reading.

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Hmmmm, an interesting way to get some reviews. Whoever leaves the most heartfelt and loving review shall get an OC named after them. I'm serious about this. I actually need a name. HAHA.