Christmas Day was a touchy affair around the Weasley home, Albus had learned, as there was a fifty percent change his grandmother would dissolve into tears about his Uncle Fred. If that were to happen, Albus knew the rest of the family would be somber and possibly cry as well, so he resolved to be as upbeat and happy as he could, since Harry had insisted, after the success of Christmas Eve, that Draco and Scorpius join them again.

Ever-cautious, Harry had sent an owl ahead the night before to Molly, warning her that he'd be showing up with Draco and Albus' boyfriend, which he underlined three times to make his point clear. Albus thought this was excessive, but wasn't too concerned.

So when lunchtime came around and Draco and Scorpius reappeared, he was elated to be simply having a normal Christmas with his boyfriend. And his boyfriend's father. Who his father had hated and their age.

Nothing was perfect.

They apparated to the Weasley home just after noon and landed outside in the grass. Albus, Lily, and James raced to the front door as they always did, while Scorpius, Draco and the others took their time.

"Thank you," said Draco to Harry and Ginny quietly as Scorpius laughed at the others. "Including us... I know it means a great deal to Scorpius. He's never had much by way of family."

"Of course," said Ginny. "We're really glad we're getting to know him better. After that adventure with the time-turner -"

Harry groaned.

"We realized he was going to be a part of Albus' life."

"And I'm glad he is," admitted Draco. "But you also could have included him and not included me, and that would have made perfect sense. So I also want to thank you for having us both."

"Let's just leave the past where it belongs," said Harry.

The high-pitched, excited screams of Molly Weasley as she embraced her grandchildren could be heard and Harry knew they'd reached the front door.


"Grandma," said Albus. "This is Scorpius."

The Weasley kitchen was a mess as usual, but Albus loved it. The house was covered in sweets and food for everyone to graze upon, and his entire family was present and accounted for.

"Hello," said Scorpius. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Molly embraced him as if he were one of her own grandchildren, patting him on the back.

"I've heard a lot about you," she said. "It's lovely to finally meet you."

Albus could tell from the look on Scorpius' face that he was very touched. Ginny came in and intercepted her mother, kissing her on the cheek.

"Merry Christmas, mum," she said. "I see you've met Scorpius."

"Indeed, I have," Molly replied, and reached out to pinch Scorpius' cheek. He wrinkled his nose.

"Such a handsome young man."

Albus folded his arms and leaned back on the wall, smiling, until Draco entered too.

"Mrs. Weasley," he said with a slight bow. Molly's eyes narrowed a bit, but she managed a smile.

"Draco. How are you?"

"I'm well," he said. "And you haven't aged a day."

Molly pursed her lips, not buying the flattery. Draco handed her a bouquet of flowers instead.

"I wanted to apologize," he said. "For being a prat as a child."

Scorpius, eyes raised, looked between them. He knew how much his father regretted his actions when he was at Hogwarts, and how much his parents had influenced him. He had said the previous night that no amount of apology would ever make up for what he'd done and that he deserved much less than the Potters' and Weasleys' forgiveness.

So when Molly Weasley took his gift and offered him a hug, and when Arthur Weasley shook Draco's hand, Scorpius and Albus both breathed a sigh of relief.

Scorpius had never seen this kind of family interaction before. When Albus led him into the living room and began introducing him to all of his family members - the ones he'd heard so much about - he knew he was talking to legends, but they were also the people that Albus had grown up around, and the people that loved him.

Bill and Charlie were warm and welcoming, and Fleur - beautiful and somewhat aloof - gave him a warm smile that made him blush. Albus brought him to George and Percy, who were into the mead a bit early, and Albus handed him one of the drinks. He took him around the house and showed him the family photos - some with George in them and some without, and listened to stories about family trips and funny tales of mishaps.

"Bill got so drunk that night that Fleur wouldn't talk to him the next day," said Albus, pointing to a photo of the family in front of the Eiffel Tower. "I was only about seven but I thought it was hilarious."

"I can't believe you've had your entire family like this your whole life," said Scorpius, looking around. The were on the stairs, and he looked down as Hermione and Fleur started laughing at something Hugo was telling them, and as Arthur began passing around a tray of cookies.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I didn't have any of that," said Scorpius. He sat down on the step and watched them all below, both longing and glad that he was there - glad that Albus had enjoyed what he never had. "It was always just my parents and me - and now just my father. My grandparents visited about once a year, and then when they died, we moved into that massive house."

"I can't imagine that," said Albus. He sat down beside Scorpius. "I saw them all the time - there was always someone around. It was actually kind of irritating sometimes. I didn't really fit in after a while."

"Still," said Scorpius. "I would have given anything to have my family around. Or, not my family. My relations are pretty awful. But to have this..."

Albus watched as Draco sat down in an armchair next to George.

"I guess it's pretty good," said Albus with a smile.

"Pretty good? It's fantastic. You should know what you have," said Scorpius.

"Well," said Albus. "You're family to me, so you can be a part of my family too."

Scorpius gave him a sad smile. He wasn't sure that, as a Malfoy, he'd ever fit in with the Potters and Weasleys, but it was a start.

"Albus!"

Ginny called up to them and motioned for both boys to come down. When they reached the living room, Albus realized that Molly was handing out presents, and stepped forward to receive his sixteenth Weasley family sweater.

So when she handed him two, he was confused.

"What's this?"

Molly pointed at Scorpius.

"Ginny told me about Scorpius, and I had the suspicion we might be seeing him for Christmas this year," said Molly. "I already had one for him. And I know that Draco helped save both your lives a few years ago, and that your fathers have a... kind of friendship. So I made these."

Albus handed Scorpius his package and watched as he unrolled a dark blue sweater with a gray 'S' knitted into the chest.

"Oh, wow."

Scorpius looked at Albus, his expression earnest and touched, and Albus reached over and ran his hand across his shoulder.

"Thank you."

Molly gave Scorpius a warm smile and then turned to Draco, pulling another package out from under the nearby tree.

"This one is for you," she said. "Because even though you were a 'prat' as a child, like you said, you've been a great help to my family."

Harry smiled and wrapped his arm around Ginny.

"So today, if you want, you get to be a Weasley."

She handed over a package wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine. Draco took it slowly, as if he was unsure of the package's safety, and placed it in his lap.

"Why?"

Molly gave him the same sad smile she'd given Scorpius and reached down to place a hand on Draco's shoulder.

"Everyone deserves a second chance."

Draco looked at her as if he still didn't believe her, but when he ripped open his package and saw a dark green sweater with a gray 'D' staring back at him, Scorpius almost thought he saw tears in his father's eyes.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," he said quietly. "Thank you."

And then, to Scorpius' great surprise, his father stood from the couch and there, right in front of everyone, unbuttoned his shirt. He stripped down to the undershirt he always wore, then shook out his Weasley sweater and pulled it on.

With the most genuine smile Scorpius had seen from him in years, Draco looked to is son, held out his hands and asked -

"What do you think?"

"Looks great, dad," said Scorpius with a thumbs up before taking his own sweater off - a momentary distraction for Albus - and pulled on his own sweater.

"Good?"

"Very nice," said Albus. He wrapped an arm around Scorpius and smiled, as everyone else followed suit and pulled on their Weasley sweaters. Fleur pulled it on over her dress, and Victoire laughed as Teddy morphed his hair to match the bright red of his sweater.

"He's trying really hard," said Scorpius.

"It's good," said Albus. "I'm glad he's here. I'm glad you're here."

"It's a start," said Scorpius.

"It's a start," agreed Albus.


A few days later, Albus stepped out of the fireplace at 6:00 pm as planned. Given the circumstances, he was unnecessarily nervous. He'd gone to Quidditch matches with Scorpius before - at Hogwarts - and they'd had plenty of meals together, but this was the first time they were going on a date. Albus had never actually been on a date before, and his fears were only slightly assuaged by his agreement with Scorpius that they would alternate planning dates.

So when he stepped out of the fireplace to be confronted with Draco Malfoy seated before the fireplace in an armchair, Albus was a bit taken aback.

"Scorpius will be down in a minute," said Draco. "He was out flying earlier and got muddy. Said he had to clean up."

"Not really necessary," said Albus. "The stadium is in the woods anyway."

"Regardless, he'll be down in a few minutes." Draco gestured to the chair next to his own - the one Albus assumed was reserved for Scorpius and their fireside talks - "Have a seat."

Albus looked at the doorway for a second, and Draco laughed. "I don't bite."

Albus cautiously took a seat.

Draco pointed to the painting above the mantle, and Albus looked up to see Astoria Malfoy staring down at him. He'd only met her a few times, and only for a few moments, before she passed. Her painting was silent, but smiled down at them, looking directly at Albus.

"I think Astoria would have liked you," Draco admitted, taking a drink from his firewhisky. Albus noticed that he had a book in his lap - he'd clearly been waiting.

"I hope she would have," said Albus. "I only met her on the way to and from Hogwarts a couple of times, but Scorpius tells me stories sometimes."

"He's so much like her," said Draco. "Scorpius is an uncommonly kind person, just like Astoria."

"You must miss her terribly."

"I do," said Draco. "But my son is a great comfort."

Albus nodded. He knew how Scorpius worried about his father, and could imagine that he did everything he could to ease his loneliness.

"Please, don't hurt him, Albus."

Albus looked at Draco, who didn't look back for a long moment, and when he did, there was a peculiar kind of pain in his eyes.

"It's very difficult knowing someone else has responsibility for the feelings of the only family you have," confessed Draco. "And I know that Scorpius cares a great deal for you."

Albus weighed his words carefully before speaking.

"I love your son, Mr. Malfoy," said Albus. "I'm not going to hurt him."

Draco gave him a small smile and nodded.

"That's of some comfort."

"Sorry!"

Albus turned around to see Scorpius slide into the room in his socks, his shoes dangling from his hands, a grin on his face.

"Sorry, I got muddy and I stayed out so long, but I was in that little deserted paddock over the ridge and there was this beautiful herd of deer," said Scorpius as he pulled on his shoes. "Anyway, I'm ready to go."

If Draco had any doubts about whether or not Albus Potter loved his son, they were put to rest by the way he smiled at Scorpius while he ranted.


Without the ability to apparate, Albus and Scorpius had to use the Floo network to get to the Quidditch arena. Puddlemere United's stadium was in the middle of the forest, and witches and wizards used the fireplace in an old cabin to get too and from the games. Albus and Scorpius laughed merrily as they walked up the path with the rest of the stragglers toward the game.

"I really thought my grandfather was going to have a heart attack when your dad put on the sweater," said Albus. "I think he's the only one still struggling to adjust."

"Frankly, the whole ordeal has gone better than I expected," said Scorpius. It had been a long time since Albus had seen him so at ease, and he found it made him extraordinarily happy.

"Now we just have to deal with the weirdness at school."

"We'll sit the boys down and talk to them when we get back," said Scorpius. "Just have to watch ourselves and not make it weird for them. We just have to approach it carefully."

"That'll be difficult. That disheveled look when you wake up really works for you."

"Well, I try," said Scorpius. Even in the dark, Albus could see he was blushing.

They entered the stadium hand-in-hand, and Albus consulted their tickets. First row, third level, midfield - exactly where they wanted to be.

"These are great," said Scorpius when the found their seats.

"Thank my mom. She gets the best tickets. But she also made me work for them."

"She did?"

"Yeah. It's always like that. Something about teaching us 'responsibility'." Albus shrugged.

"That's really sweet," said Scorpius.

"I try."

The game started with cheers and screams, and as the players rose from the ground, flash bulbs of journalists and amateurs alike went off to capture the moment. Albus, knowing Scorpius would soon be lost in the game, seized the opportunity to give him a quick kiss before they stood to cheer with the rest of the crowd.


Albus was elated after the Holyhead Harpies' victory, and struggled to keep his excitement in long after the game was over.

"But did you see that pass -"

"I saw all the passes," said Scorpius begrudgingly. "I was there too."

"But it was so good."

Albus knew that Scorpius was a Puddlemere United fan. Boyfriend or not - he was still going to gloat.

They stepped into the Malfoy Manor's sitting room and found it empty and the lanterns lining the walls turned low.

"I think dad's asleep," said Scorpius. He walked to the doorway and looked around. "The last thing he does is lower the lights."

"Then give me the tour?"

"Well, this is clearly the sitting room," said Scorpius. "Full of useless artifacts and my father's desk."

"I figured that part out," said Albus, taking off into the house. It was dark and cavernous but not at all like Scorpius had described it before. Instead of cold gray and black metal, the manor was warm and almost friendly.

"This must be much better than before," said Albus.

"Absolutely."

Scorpius grabbed his hand and pulled him down a long hallway, which ended in a pair of large oak doors. He opened them carefully and quietly, and Albus saw beyond it a row of books.

"Wow," muttered Albus as he stepped into the fabled Malfoy library. "No wonder you're a geek."

"Hey, you liked Dorian Gray just as much as I did."

"That's debatable," replied Albus. The room was huge, and had a ladder on each wall to reach the top shelves. Amongst the books was a large, arched window that let in the moonlight from outside.

"And this is how I managed to go blind before turning twenty," said Scorpius. "Reading in here after my bedtime."

Albus ran his fingers across the spines of the books. "I would have too, probably."

Scorpius watched as he moved around the room, looking at all of the tomes his family had collected over the ages.

"This library was my Grandmother Narcissa's pride and joy," said Scorpius. "Honestly, it was the only thing we ever had in common. It was the only thing I could ever really respect about her."

"She saved my dad's life," said Albus. He turned and leaned back against the shelves.

"What?"

"It's not in the history books," said Albus. "I don't think she wanted to discuss it, but she was there when Voldemort tried to kill my father and she lied and told him my dad was dead."

"I never knew that."

"I doubt she wanted to talk about it," said Albus. "The way dad tells it, it wasn't really a Malfoy point of pride."

Scorpius shook his head, walking over to where Albus stood. "I can't believe she never mentioned it."

Albus shrugged. "A lot of strange things happened then."

"I'm glad she did, though. She was probably risking herself when she did it," said Scorpius. "And even though she'd probably be pretty unhappy with me right now, if she hadn't done that, you wouldn't be here."

Albus smiled and pulled Scorpius closer. "I think things just work out the way they're supposed to."

Scorpius smiled and kissed him, holding him back against the books. He tasted like the coffee and pastries from their post-game dinner in London, and Scorpius pulled away and smiled.

"What?" Albus asked.

"Nothing." Scorpius shook his head, grinning. "I'm just very, very happy."

"Me too," said Albus. He reached up and took Scorpius' glasses carefully from his face and set them on one of the shelves.

"That's not fair. Now I can't see," said Scorpius with a sigh.

"You don't need to," replied Albus before kissing him again, long and slow. Scorpius took one of his hands and held it tight, kissing him back until Albus started down his neck.

Scorpius only had a moment to close his eyes and sink into the sensation before a crackling sound and a tingling up his arm broke his reverie.

"No! No," said Scorpius, pushing himself away from Albus. Sparks were flying from his fingertips and he had to shake his hands for several seconds before it stopped, and he stared at his hands in disbelief.

Albus stared at Scorpius as he calmed down with wide eyes and raised eyebrows.

"Do I take that as a compliment?" asked Albus. He turned his hand against the shelf behind him so Scorpius couldn't see the tiny burns dotting his palm.


Ginny forced Albus to eat an extra serving of pancakes the next morning with the claim that he was "looking too peckish to go back to Quidditch," and Albus was stuffed by the time Harry walked in with the morning's Prophet.

"I see the Harpies won," said Harry, giving Ginny a kiss as he did every morning.

"Spectacularly," Albus confirmed, leaning back in his chair to drink his coffee.

"And I see you two had a good time."

"We did. The game was great - what?"

Harry threw the paper down in front of Albus and there, right on the front page, was a photo of Scorpius and Albus kissing in their seats. They were easy to spot - everyone else was cheering, but Scorpius had an arm around Albus' shoulders, and they were looking at each other, kissing and laughing.

And above the photo in large, bold print was the headline that would haunt Albus for days.

Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy Spotted Snogging at Harpies/Puddlemere Match.

"Oh, fu-"

"I sincerely hope you told your friends about this," said Ginny. "Because they all know now."

Albus, defeated, rested his head on the table in frustration.

"It's just one thing after another, isn't it?"

Ginny leaned over and kissed him on the temple.

"Welcome to adulthood."