Hello everyone, thanks for clicking and reading. I hope you enjoy the first two chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own any HP related characters, locations, etc. that appear in this story.

Chapter 1: Crushes

Albus pov

"Albus!"

Every single time. He thought to himself.

Every Friday was designated for Hippogriff healing and bonding. Also, every single Friday it seemed that I got lost in a project and had to face the wrath of Jane.

"Albus Potter. I know that you can see and hear me." Jane yelled from a distance near the open fence of the Hippogriff fields. "I want you to know, that I do have more important things to do than be your timekeeper. Are you trying to get the hospital another employee citation?"

I continued to re-wrap the wing of the Hippogriff in front of me, as I spoke calmly to Jane. "I do apologize Ms. Grubbly-Plank. My patient's wings were to be wrapped a long while ago, but I lost track of time listening to a co-worker drowning on and on about a disastrous date she went on a few nights ago." Smirking as I never took my eyes off the task at hand.

"Potter, you know good and well that it was horrible. I mean come on, how do you take anyone seriously who doesn't like to fly for leisure? I mean it is ridiculous!" She exclaimed stepping closer but keeping a distance between myself and the injured beast.

"I will have you know, my fiancé and various aunts, one being the Minster for Magic mind you, do not care for flying of any kind, even that on a broom."

I had just finished up securing the Hippogriffs let wing, tossed him a small ferret, collected my clipboard, and shut the gate behind me. I jotted down a few notes to remember over the weekend and begin to walk in line with Jane.

"Regardless, it's weird. I mean there is nothing like it. Surely an expert like you can agree. I mean your entire family is excellent flyers. You know the thrill of the wind and the feeling of limitless." She continued with our conversation.

Jane, with her medium height, caramel skin, and curvy frame, was a knockout. Both figuratively and literally. In the last two years, she had begun learning the ins and outs of her mother, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank's, magical beasts sanctuary facility. The team was considerably small, but with Jane's connections and can-do attitude, the team was growing every day.

She and Albus had grown extremely close, since his decision to leave the department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures three years ago. It was a great opportunity that fell into his lap shortly after leaving Hogwarts. Though working at the Ministry wasn't as horrible as Albus had thought, it did present many challenges. Such as being constantly visited by his family. He loved the Potter-Weasley clan, but that didn't mean he wanted to spend every lunch break and morning coffee with them.

Jane was his savior.

"Expert I am not. But I do understand. Flying and pick-up games with my family are the best parts of our gatherings. Even when Mum, James, and Freddie get overly competitive. Last month, mum got so into it that she almost broke Uncle Ron's arm. Gran stopped the game so quickly, screaming that her heart couldn't take another Weasely trip to St. Mungos." I smirked as we entered the break room, packing my belongings.

"Never a dull moment with you lot." She said shaking her head. "Do you think I was being unreasonable with Matthew?"

"You are a bit picky, but within reason I suppose. You have a lot to offer."

She pretended to blush, "now Al, don't go soft on me. Between the two of you, I can only handle one mushy friend, and we both know Scorpius is the king of mush and mush-like advice."

I smiled to myself thinking of my overly sweet Fiancé. "Speaking of which, I should be heading to our flat. We are meeting up with my cousins to discuss a party for mum. Her Birthday is in a few days and of course, we all waited until the last minute to plan. Even though we told the grown-ups that we had this planned for months."

Jane laughed. "I find it amusing that you refer to yourself and your siblings, as children."

"You have seen us together, is it anything other than a bunch of nine-year-olds fighting for the same toy?" We shared a knowing look, and I walked over to the floo network. "The Matthew conversation is not over. We can talk about it, Monday when I stay longer than I need to." I joked stepping into the fireplace.

"That's not funny Albus, my mother is going to have my head for this. Do not make her call your father. You know she will."

With utter fear on my face, I dropped the powder and said "home."

Stepping into the fireplace of Scorpius' and my flat in London immediately relaxed me after a long day of work. I threw my bag on the couch, knowing it would drive Scorpius crazy, and poured myself a glass of water.

The dishes from this morning had been washed and the counters cleaned. Scorpius must have gotten home early from work at St. Mungos.

Setting the glass down, I made my way through the hallway to our bedroom. "Scor?"

"Hey, honey, in here!" He called back from the attached bathroom. "How was work today? I hope nothing went wrong with Hector the Hippogriff. I know you have been attending to him for quite some time. Nothing has happened, right? Is that why you are late. Actually, don't tell me if something happened it will put a damper on my mood today. And the last thing I want is for your brother and cousins too -hmph."

I grabbed my fiancé's waist and brought his lips down to mine. Even though he stood a complete two and a half inches taller than me, I had strength over him.

I could feel Scorpius relax into the kiss, as it switched from urgent to longing. We stayed this way until we both needed air.

"Hello, love," I said as I pulled back slightly, while still holding him near me. "Hi." He said still breathless.

"Work was fine. Sorry I am late." I said releasing him. "I took a late lunch and had to make sure that Hector's wing was secure enough for the weekend."

He smiled down at me and then turned back to the mirror to finish styling his hair. "More like gossiping with Jane. How did her date go?" He reached for the styling gel, some product he loves from the muggle shops, and went back to his focus.

"Long story, but she is not impressed with his inability to enjoy flying." I rolled my eyes and admired how easily Scorpius could do his hair.

He laughed, "Of course. Well, I can't wait to see her in a few days and discuss it. I love her dating tales. They make me appreciate you even more. Seeing as we skipped that whole thing and just found one another." He clarified.

"I wouldn't say we skipped it. We have stories too." He side-eyed me skeptically. "I mean, not so much the full-blown dating, but we had our crushes. Or do I need to remind you of your obsession with Rose?"

Scorpius made a face, "Please do not remind me. We have to see your family today and that's the last thing I want on my mind. It's almost like James and Freddie can read my mind so they know how to tease me."

"It's all in good fun, it's how they show their love. Honestly, I would be worried if they didn't tease, you. This just means you are one of us. Plus you know my family adores you, even more than 'grumpy little Al.'" I moved to stand behind him and wrap my arms around his middle. "Is that why you were rambling when I walked in? You're nervous about spending the evening with my family?"

Scorpius shook his head, "Of course not, I love being with your family. It is never a boring time. I am more worried about this party you and your siblings told everyone was already planned and you all haven't even begun to think about it. Why must you Potter's procrastinate so much?"

I shrugged hugging him tighter.

"Please be sure you do not wait until an hour to write your vows. I do not want you in front of everybody just winging it." He said looking nervous.

"Oh please, I was just going to speak from the heart, you know how great I am at public speaking."

Choosing to ignore my comment, Scor finished his hair and turned to face me.

"In any regard, it's time for you to get dressed we are meeting everyone in an hour. And though I find you cute in all forms, I think everyone would appreciate you smelling less like the sanctuary and more as the expensive soaps dad brought us from Paris."

"Of course" I unwrapped my arms from around his waist and lifted my shirt over my head. I noticed Scorpius eye me with a smirk. "Wanna join?" I said gesturing towards the shower.

Walking over and smiling at me, "What an offer," he said leaning down slowly and brushing his lips over mine, but not making any real contact. "but, I just did my hair. Next time leave work sooner and you might get lucky." He turned swiftly before I could catch him, and walked out of the bathroom.

"Tease!" I called out to my giggling partner.

"So you never told me what you were so nervous about today when I got home? Everything good at work?" I said holding Scorpius' hand as we walked down the street near the meeting place.

Once I had finished getting dressed, Scorpius and I headed out to meet the others. Since we lived in Muggle London, the younger members of my family, tended to meet us at bars nearby.

"Yes, work is fine. The potions department at St. Mungos finally got two new junior potioneers to help with the workload. I am assisting one of the heads of the department with training. They are both very nice." He said not making eye contact.

"That's good news, so what else is bothering you. No need to beat around the bush, just tell me." I said squeezing his hand tighter.

He sighed, "Well dad stopped by the flat when I got off work. Looking to talk to both of us." I stayed quiet so he could continue, "My Aunt Daphne, mum's sister, and daughter Laurel have come to stay with Dad at the manor."

"Okay..." I said waiting for him to continue.

"Well you know I hardly have seen either of them since, mum passed away. But dad says they have come to rebuild family ties. He offered them rooms at the manor for a while so that we can all reconnect." He said still not looking at me.

"Scor, I'm still not seeing the problem here? Do you not want your aunt and cousin to stay at the manor?"

"No, no it's not that. It will be good to spend time with them again, it's just. I'm worried about dad. Aunt Daphne and he didn't get on so well when mum was around, and she looks so much like her. I want to make sure he isn't just doing this for my benefit. Also, I agreed to have dinner with them after your mother's party."

"Well, it must be a good sign that they want to reconnect with you and your dad. Better late than never right?" I said trying to conjure a bit of positivity to the situation.

Scorpius still looked uneasy, "She doesn't know about me and you. Our relationship, or engagement. I am not sure how she will take it."

We were one shop over from the bar where we were meeting my family. I stopped walking and pulled Scorpius back, making him stand right in front of me.

"Doesn't matter what your aunt or cousin thinks. I am here. We will have dinner with your family, get aquatinted and go from there. No need to worry. Best case scenario you get to finally have a relationship with your extended family, Dumbledore knows why you would want that," I said smirking.

"And worst-case scenario?" He asked.

"We get to see your dad go full Malfoy on them. He is so protective over you. I would enjoy him telling them off in your honor."

"Right, dad can be a bit... much." He looked even more nervous.
I pulled him closer to my body and reached up to kiss him, "relax love, we will figure it all out." He leaned into the kiss, "this is defiantly helping." He said kissing me again.

"Oi! Will you two stop making a spectacle outside the bar, and join in with everyone else. It's bad enough that you two are late. Come' on lovebirds." James yelled through the open door of the bar. "I only want to spend half the time talking about Mum's party and the other half getting Scor drunk enough to re-confess his crush to Rosie." Scorpius gasped, probably convinced my brother had our house bugged, all while James laughed and held the door open for us.

"Jerk" I mumbled and smiled up at my fiancé. "Let's table this later, and figure out a way to embarrass my brother," I said pulling his hand towards the door James held open for us as Scorpius smiled back at me.

—-

I hope you all enjoyed this first introduction chapter. I wanted to get a little feel for the boys careers and relationship before the story really gets going. Next chapter, is Ginny's party, more family introductions, and of course the surprise for the boys.

Enjoy, Jazz.