Chapter Five: Albus Now
While Rose, Riley, and Maggie were discussing ways to tell Albus he had a child with the least amount of collateral damage, Albus was just finishing his first Quidditch training of the new season.
"It sure is gonna be weird without Scorpius." Malcolm Xavier, one of the Beaters, announced to no one in particular in the locker room.
"You mean it's going to be weird without Rose." Albus replied making the whole locker room laugh, even the newbies.
"Yeah, I don't know where I'm going to find the motivation to protect the new Seeker without her. Do you remember when she-" But he was cut off.
"We all remember that. God she was scary." Albus said as the two of them walked out of the room together.
"Very." Malcolm agreed with a smile.
"You wanna hit the bars tonight." Albus asked. It was a tradition between the two. Scorpius couldn't exactly be the go-to-guy what with his marital status. Malcolm had become a great friend.
"I've got plans." Malcolm said and averted his eyes.
"Man you've got to be joking. You never want to go out anymore. Who's the broad? And don't even try to tell there's not one involved." Albus said exasperated.
"Lucy." Malcolm mumbled.
"What did you say?" Albus asked, not hearing.
"Lucy." Malcolm said louder.
"Hah!" Albus started cracking up. "Lucy Weasley? That's great man!"
Malcolm looked extremely relieved. He had secretly dreaded what Albus would think. He had known the two of them had hit it off when they met last year, but never thought anything of it.
"She's the girl who's been keeping you away from the bars for months! When did you even start dating?" Albus asked.
"I ran into her a few weeks after we first met at the match against Bulgaria."
"Did you attempt to teach her the rules of Quidditch? I swear, no matter how many times my family and I have tried to explain it, she just doesn't get it." Albus laughed.
"I know. She's quirky." Malcolm said with a lovesick smile on his face. Albus noticed this.
"Damn it Malcolm! Don't tell me you're in love with her."
"Sorry man. I couldn't help it." Malcolm shrugged his shoulders and laughed at Albus' disgusted expression.
"Are you going to marry her?" Albus asked looking seriously concerned.
"I don't know." Malcolm said with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Well go on then, get out of here." Albus said and smiled. Malcolm apparated on the spot.
Albus walked the six blocks to his flat. He was no longer in the mood to go clubbing. He'd go to the Burrow for dinner. It'd been a while since he visited his Grandparents and he was in the mood for a family meal.