Sunday June 27th 2021:

"Dad, I don't think it's going to be a good idea to have Rose come over with Scorpius here," Albus said to his father, arranging everything outside in their backyard for their barbecue and pool event.

Because of Albus not being able to use magic outside of school due to being underage, Harry chose to set everything up without the use of magic.

"Why not?" Harry asked, lifting a table cloth in the air.

"It's his ex!" Albus said, catching one side of the cloth and fitting it on each edge of the table.

"Didn't you say that they are chummy now?"

"Well, yeah, kind of, but still!"

"Rose would let us know if she didn't want to come," Harry assured, "and Scorpius didn't seem to mind. I think you're worrying about nothing."

"You always say that," Al mumbled.

"And I have proven to be right more than wrong about it," Harry boasted.

Albus frowned.

"Hey, Al. How was sleeping with your bestie last night?" James teased, strolling outside with a half-bitten sandwich in hand.

Albus' scowl lingered, and he ignored him.

After setting everything up, everybody had an hour or two to waste time until everything began. Scorpius played Gobstones with Albus, and expeditiously turning up first were the Granger-Weasleys.

To Albus' bewilderment, Scorpius was comfortable being in Rose's company. Rose still being discomposed after the breakup, Albus understood, but Scorpius was an entirely differential story; he was obsessed with winning her love since the very initial moment he met her. Albus himself was the comfortless one, unsure of how to feel about all of this.

Hours thereafter, everybody belatedly arrived. All of the cousins were there, whether they wanted to go or were forced to. Parents also joined, excluding Bill, Percy, and Audrey for their own diverse and substantial reasons.

Swimming in the pool, Rose decided to make things more lively and imaginative by flaunting her patronus — which was a trout — coupled with the water with her wand. Scorpius yelped and sheltered himself abaft of Albus from the projection.

Most of the Weasley cousins laughed, and Albus couldn't help but do the same. "It's not a real fish, mate," Albus reassured.

"But it moves like a real one," Scorpius vindicated.

"Will I ever get to know the reasoning behind this fear of yours?" Albus asked.

"There's no reasoning behind it. I just don't like fish," Scorpius said.

"Cous, it's not alright to scare people, you know," Fred lectured to Rose.

"No no, don't worry about it. I'll just go out for a sec," Scorpius said. Albus tried to stop him, but he abandoned them anyhow.

It was such a blistering afternoon that the sudden conversion of temperature from Scorpius leaving the chilliness of the pool was hardly noticed, and he didn't need a towel to dry off.

"Don't mind Rose. Sometimes she could be insensitive without realising it," Hermione said from the rear end of the bench nearest to the wandering Scorpius. "Go back in and have fun."

"I was swimming for a while," Scorpius excused, presenting his wrinkled fingertips for evidence. "I was going to get out anyway. I think I'm going to get my Standard Book of Spells from upstairs and have a burger."

"You know, I should be reminding you that it's summer vacation, and be encouraging you to have fun and not study, but that wouldn't be genuine coming from me," Hermione said.

"You are Hermione Granger. The brain of everything," Scorpius said elatedly.

"Of everything is a little much, but, you know, I'll take it," Hermione said, going scarlet from the flattery.

Scorpius chuckled and slated for the interior of the Potter's home, and at that moment, Albus scouted about for him, but did not see him anywhere. He rushed over to the very first people he caught a glimpse of: Teddy, Victoire, Dominique, and Lucy but he delayed his questioning for just the precise moment to ask so he would not be infringing.

"You still haven't graduated?" Teddy asked Dominique.

"I'm surprised that you're so surprised. I thought for sure my sis over here would have told you," Dominique said, nudging Victoire in the seam of them.

"It's not like it's anything new or mind-blowing," Victoire said. "Unlike Louis getting Ravenclaw last year."

"I heard zat," Louis said, strolling past them in his swimming trunks.

"So? It wasn't meant to be a secret," Victoire said.

Louis shrugged and persisted with his stroll to the pool.

"Anyway, that's why our family won't let me go on our annual camping trip," Dominique said in disarray.

"Because of your rebel-ness?" Teddy said, leering.

"Yup," Dominique said.

"Hey guys," Albus said, desperate to unmask his friend's whereabouts.

"Try being the only one in your house and family to not be interested in dating or romance in general," Lucy said.

"I'm sure you're not the only one," Victoire said.

"It sure feels like it," Lucy said gloomily.

Fred walked on by, opening his mouth to speak, but then gave up and continued walking.

Albus had no idea any of his cousins felt like outcasts much like himself. It made him appreciate them more, and even want to spend more time with them.

"Oh, hi Al," Teddy greeted, finally noticing Albus standing in front of them. "What's up?"

"Have you guys seen Scorpius?" Albus asked.

"I saw him go inside," Victoire answered.

"Inside?"

Scorpius conveniently ran out of the house with his book in his hand at that time. Distracted by his excitement, he collided into Albus, but luckily not with enough force to knock him down.

"Oh, sorry Albus," Scorpius said.

"I know you love books and all, but why would you have one right now?" Albus inquired, pointing to the textbook in Scorpius' hand.

"It's just for a minute. It's always good to practise," Scorpius said.

Albus shook his head but with a look of amusement. "Whatever you say." He took his spot next to Scorpius on the bench while the smart aleck started to literally work his magic. (Due to Hermione and Harry both being affiliated with the Ministry of Magic, years ago they decided to give permission for minors to use magic in their homes, as long as they were above thirteen years of age and out of sight from Muggles.)

The first spell was a dud, which was rare for Scorpius. Hermione took notice and dropped by the two teens. "I am sorry, but I can't listen to this. I can just walk away, unless of course you would like some advice."

"I wouldn't mind!" Scorpius said enthusiastically.

And so, Hermione agreed to assist the young Malfoy with precise positions, directories, and pronunciations, particularly on one certain spell. Scorpius was fondly reminded of Rose. "I recommend trying this one first: the Summoning Charm," she suggested.

Scorpius carefully skimmed through the descriptions and instructions of that specific charm, and then steered his directory to the inside of the house. "Acci—"

"Stop!" Hermione ordered. She rested her hand on Scorpius' bare forearm and let it descend at a certain locality. "Make sure to aim at just the right angle. The height of an object or being is crucial. The lower this object you are intending to summon, the lower you aim. And no need for any flicks with the wrists."

Scorpius understood and reserved his arm in place from where his temporary mentor intended. He cast the spell and soon a beaming speck of light erupted from the rod and his carryall that was left downstairs in the parlor reappeared by his feet. Scorpius beamed extensively, and Albus saluted him for a job well done, but when moving on to the upcoming spell, he departed from the bench.

"Where are you going?" Scorpius instantly asked.

"I don't know. Somewhere with less studying involved," Albus said bluntly. "Keep it up."

"Well, alright," Scorpius said.

"You're doing extraordinarily well so far, Scorpius," Hermione said, fascinated. "As intelligent as Rose is, she doesn't enjoy studying over the holidays. Albus absolutely loved the idea of magic when he was much younger. You should have seen him, he used to pretend he was one of the world's most powerful wizards, and he would constantly ask me what the best spells were and the adventures me, Ronald, and Harry would embark on. But I suppose it's possible to grow out of it."

"I know Albus has it in him," Scorpius said, confident.

"So do I," Hermione said.

Scorpius then stared at Albus admirably.

"Hey Albus," said a voice. Al redirected himself around and detected his sister. "I wanna try something," Lily said, detaching her spectacles and situating them over Al's own eyes.

"There. Now you can wear them all the time instead of me!" Lily said. "Now you look even more like Dad!"

Albus rolled his eyes and passed the glasses back to their original owner. "How original, and no I don't."

"Sorry brother, but you can't argue with facts and genetics," Lily stated.

"Well, you look just like Mum," Albus said.

"Not just like her," Lily objected.

"See? Doesn't feel so good to hear that, doesn't it?" Albus said.

Lily pouted. "Anyway, my point of all of this is, I hate wearing these things. I don't know how Dad does it."

To interrupt their not so engaging discussion, James passed by them and basically smacked Albus' back.

"What the hell?" Albus said.

"It's a pat on the back, worrywart," James said, leaving.

"There's a difference between a pat and smack, you ponce," Albus said, not caring if James heard him or not.

Abruptly, Scorpius proceeded to snag a drink from the table when realizing that Albus was in his dreadfully provoked mood. "Uh-oh, what's wrong?" Scorpius asked, so acclimated to that emotion from him that he was less concerned and more curious.

"James," Albus replied.

"Ahh," Scorpius said. He didn't require anything more to be said.

"I swear he becomes more and more of an arse each year," Albus growled. "At least this upcoming year of Hogwarts will be his last."

Scorpius shook his head and sat with him.

Albus longed to carry on, but was incapable of doing so from the greatest comforting and satisfying sensation upon his shoulders. "What—?"

His incapability of carrying on remained; he never felt so much physical and mental relief in his life.

"Am I being too rough?" Scorpius checked.

"A little higher," Al managed to say.

Scorpius smirked and guided his hands to Albus' gratification. "It seems I have found your weakness, mate."

Albus could only moan alluringly, and his eyes closed.

While stroking every muscle of the brunet's back and neck, Scorpius marvelled at the creamy texture of his skin. It wasn't tanned like his father, and neither pale, but rather his mother's complexion. He also had a striking build and several freckles encircling his shoulder blades. Scorpius found them startlingly charming.

Reaching his featherweight dark auburn-highlighted hair, he found his mouth unknowingly open and moisture less because of it.

"Your hair is kind of fun to run my fingers through," Scorpius chuckled bunglingly.

At the corner of his eye, Scorpius saw a taller figure situated right there, and it took him a few seconds to look at him. "You two are making this too easy," James said, passing by them with Teddy.

Scorpius knew his massaging was working when Albus didn't even acknowledge his pain in the arse brother.

"Wow. Thanks," Albus said, his entire head and posture positively relaxed; it looked like he could fall asleep at any minute.

"No problem," Scorpius said.

"I'm going to miss you when you leave," Albus unexpectedly said.

"I will too. I always do, but you could visit my place soon," Scorpius said.

"Yeah," Albus said.

The absence of sound swiftly took over.

"Albus."

"Yeah?"

"I was thinking... imagine if we were a couple," Scorpius laughed, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"W-What?" Albus asked, in outright shock.

"It would be weird, huh?" Scorpius said.

"I ... guess so."

Scorpius wasn't so sure why he asked that sort of a question, and Albus wasn't so sure why he was thinking so much about it.

"Want to try swimming again?" Albus asked.

"Sure," Scorpius said quickly.