A/N: So for those of you who read the previous two chapters before this chapter (3) was initially downloaded, you might notice I exchanged Harry in for Scorpius where two characters are listed for the story. The story is going in a direction where Harry and Draco's story will be told in equal amounts as Albus' and Scorpius'. Just in case you wondered.

As I sat outside the Longbottom estate, soaking up the suns warm rays, I didn't even attempt to think about the day. Butterbeer, sun shine, and the view were all I wanted at the moment.

I watched James horse around with Uncle Neville's children and wished that for a short time I could go back to the days when we were young. Things were so much simpler then. Lessons and fun. Though I'm not sure I could ever recall a time when it was ever that easy. Lessons and fun were always combined with less enjoyable things.

I always envied that James could horse around for a couple hours and completely unwind. I envied that skill he had o just let it all go.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and although I knew I flinched a bit, I immediately recognized my Father's hand. I looked up and over my shoulder to see his face looking down into mine.

I don't know why but the small smile on his mouth relaxed me more then anything in the world could have.

"Hi," I said, and gave a small smile in return. I immediately scooted to one end of the bench to make room.

He sat down with out another word, stealing my butterbeer in the process, and taking a large gulp before handing it back with a large smile.

"You know you could have gotten your own."

He looked perplexed. "Naw, and yours is closer. Plus I know how you love sharing, and I'm all for giving into your loves."

I couldn't help the short laughter that rose up in me. It was the constant joke in our family that I shared almost nothing. I hated people eating off my plate, taking books with out permission, or James stealing clothing. The butterbeer stealing of my father was just one in a long list of things that had become an annoying but somehow reassuring custom.

My I glanced at my Father as he took his glasses off and replaced them with sun glasses. He sat silently, staring up into the sun with a smile. It was a constant joke among us that he could have gotten his eyes fixed by either muggle or magical means, but he refused. Declared that his eyes had served him thirty some odd years, and he wasn't going to change them now. Plus with his luck he, Father declared, he would end up blind.

Personally I thought he just didn't want to be out of control, but I wasn't stupid enough to say so.

People often tell me that we looked alike, but it's on the inside that I truly see the likeness between my father and I. Not that similarity was good or bad, it just was.

I admired my Father. Few people ever saw him the way James and I did. Well, I supposed that a few close friends knew him in that way too, but they could be counted on two hands. No one in the press would ever believe it if they caught a picture of him right now. Lord Potter in dark wash worn jeans, a black polo shirt, and brown dragon hide sandals. No one had seen Lord Potter in casual clothing since, well actually I couldn't think of a time. Father taught us that we needed to be public ready any time we went out.

Father finally glanced at me as I stared.

He clapped a hand on my knee.

"What's wrong Al? I heard a bit of what happened."

My heart sped up a bit as I wondered what was I supposed to say? They had freaked me out more then they should have. I took a long swig of my drink, thankful for the cool liquid that slid down my throat so easily.

"I don't know." I ran a hand through my hair, even as I told myself to stop it. I had been aware it was my nervous gesture for almost a year, and had yet to find a way to stop the give away. "I didn't handle myself well. You wouldn't have been proud."

I glanced toward him, but he said nothing for a few minutes. Maybe he was disappointed, and he had a right to be.

I heard him take a deep breath, and watched out of the corner of my eye as he turned to me and put his sunglasses on the top of his head. I hated talks like this when we were eye to eye. It was weird. My own eyes looking back at me.

"Al, turn and look at me." He said it quietly and I found myself dragging my feet to follow his command.

"Al, I don't even know what was said and I can tell you with a doubt that I am sure you handled yourself in a manner I would be proud of."

I nodded, and he looked away a bit.

"Do you want to get to know them Albus? And don't answer how you think I want you to answer. Answer with your own opinion."

I wouldn't lie to him. I respected him too much for that.

"I don't know. I like Uncle Bill and Charlie well enough. I've hated the others for a long time. I hate that they act like they have a right to demand we move on from what they did. Want to know them? I may be curious, but I would never allow someone to mess up twice."

I told the truth, but there seemed to be so much more to say. Sometimes it seemed too simple, and other times it felt like my feelings were a novel book length. Was that normal for a guy?

Father kept staring at me.

"Merlin. Albus I raised you and your brother to the best of my ability. Sometimes though…sometimes I wonder how good a job I did."

I couldn't believe that! I liked how I was and I liked my life!

"I think you did just fine."

For some reason he didn't seem reassured, and it was getting a bit uncomfortable.

"We didn't only see the Weasley's by the way." I made sure to keep a good eye on him now. I wanted to know what the story was about my father and his arch rival.

"I met a man that used to claim and acquaintance with you. Does the name Draco Malfoy ring a bell?"

The tightening of his mouth, and widening of his eyes gave away everything.

"Draco Malfoy, eh? He didn't give you any trouble did he?"

My Father wasn't great at trying to sound nonchalant.

"He seemed alright. Was more interested in you then anything. You never told me that you played Quidditch in school, and that you and Lord Malfoy had a bit of a rivalry."

I smiled at him, knowing he would know it was a bit more then that. Or I was guessing it was. Father blushed like I hadn't seem him do in years,

"Yes, we played against each other." He laughed sharply. "Merlin, he and I were oil and water in those days. He was Slytherin Prince and I was, well, I have no idea what I was. He despised me though, along with his whole house. Actually it seemed to fluctuate between that house and most the school, depending on the Daily Prophet."

I looked at my Father skeptically. It certainly didn't sound like a good time, and the Malfoy described certainly didn't sound like the man I met today.

"I will say this though, Malfoy was damned good seeker at the time."

"That was the position you played?" I question lightly. Immediately his face seemed to dim though.

"Yes, well that was a long time ago."

I knew the flash back conversation was over, and just when it was getting interesting too. He snatched my drink one more time and took a large gulp looking at me and grinning.

"So what do you want to do this summer? We haven't discussed it much. Greece? Romania? Americas?"

The idea came to me, and I considered it from all angles then decided to follow my instincts.

"Well, why not stay here? Not all the time of course. But London, or somewhere in the vicinity, would be a good home base for a while. We haven't been here for years."

He shrugged casually.

"If that's what you want. It's certainly your summer to do with as you please. I of course, have a few things to keep me busy in the neighboring countries. We have an estate here though, and can easily have the elves prepare it. Excuse me son. Think I'll go help Neville finish off those steaks. He never did quite grasp the concept of muggle grilling as well as he should have." I chuckled as he meant me too.

I thought about calling Father back as he walked off, but realized their would be little point in it. He still hated being in London, or anywhere in the vicinity. I'd always thought it best not to push him, but I suddenly realized that he was going to stay stagnant.

The memories here just seemed to haunt him like no other. Not that I could blame him. Maybe a summer in Russia would be better? I would have to run it by James and see what he thought.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I'd like to say that I stood up for myself and told father I wanted to stay in England, but that wasn't the case. It would have been the so -called manly thing to do, or even maybe the teenager thing to do, but the truth was I didn't want to disappoint him.

I found an old photo album years ago with old Daily Prophet stories, but I never thought about the significance until he told me about the horrible experience he had with the press as a kid.

The album disappeared the day after Father found me with it, but I asked Uncle Neville as we ate desert, and he reluctantly told me about some of the press he helped Father deal with during his Hogwarts years. They really had been terrible.

Every so often just when I started to hate Father for drilling so many lessons into my head, I gained some insight into why he did it. We handled the press well now, but where would I be if he hadn't taught me what to wear and how to act? Probably, I realized, in the same spot he had been at Hogwarts. The worst making the papers, and all the ordinary things twisted into something horrible. Would I be the same self assured person if that were the case?

So the next morning I told my father I would rather spend a few months in Australia. It would be nothing very interesting, but that was fine. James was py because the estate had a Quidditch Pitch. Father would only join us on the weekends, which meant James could spend some quality time on the pitch.

I still had a few days to decide what I wanted to do, and I knew Father wouldn't push me. For the last few years I had interned at some small companies, planning for my future in the business, and my title opened doors that my resume did not. However, for the moment I wasn't enthusiastic about any of the options I had lined up. Watching the world go by in Australia actually seemed interesting for once.

I was still at loose ends the next day, and found myself standing next to the Leaky Cauldron. Father had a picture of the place on his desk at his office in Berlin. It was old and rugged but still charming.

"Are you going to go in, or just going stand there?"

I started to turn around intent upon giving the person a good lashing when I caught sight of the blonde hair. Great. Little Lord Malfoy. Just who I didn't want to see.

"I had not yet made my mind up. I was simply passing through." It was not exactly the lashing I had planned on, but at least I kept my dignity.

"What can I do to convince you to have lunch with me?" he smiled warmly at me. Why? He had to know that his innocent act certainly would not work with me. I knew what he was underneath. A playboy with less sense then brains. Come to think of it I wasn't so sure he ranked high in the brains department either.

"Nothing," I stated calmly.

That seemed to disconcert him. Good. I started to walk away, not sure where I was headed but anywhere else was better then near him.

He caught my arm as I passed though causing me to flinch just a bit. I looked up into his eyes questioning what he wanted. Playboys usually moved on once they realized I didn't play the game.

"It's just lunch Albus. Perhaps at a small casual eatery off of Diagon Alley. Please?"

"Diagon Alley?" I questioned. Maybe that was a nickname for the pub?

By his surprise I determined that it wasn't though. It was a place he fully expected me to know. Why?

He blew out a breathe. "He really cut off his previous life didn't he?" I didn't know what to say, but he shook his head bemused. "No matter. It's the place where the England's wizard society shops and gathers. Your Father spent a lot of time here." He wiggled his eyebrows then, and grinned. "Curious?"

Damn, I was. Very, very curious. Shit. His grin said he knew I was between a rock and hard spot too. I hated the impression he could read me so well.

Finally he smiled. "Come Albus. Lunch wont kill you. And despite your less than stellar opinion of me I am quite respectable I assure you."

I nodded. My curiosity was going to get me in deep shit one of these days. I only hope this wasn't the day. Scorpius Malfoy took my arm and led me to the door of the pub before I could shrug it off. Which I did with relish once we were in the door.

I took it all in as I walked through the door, ignoring the stares and whispers. Despite them, I liked the place. It was a bit dark but had a community feeling. Every type and station person probably ate and drank here. I heard a few call out to Scorpius but he did little more than nod. He kept walking until we were outside back.

Finally he turned towards me.

"You alright?"

He thought that was bad? Merlin, he'd never deal with my life. "Of course," I murmured.

The subject was not open for discussion, and thankfully he seemed to understand that. I watched him tap away at the bricks, and made sure my face didn't show my surprise as the place appeared.

I barely felt his lips at my ear before I heard the whispered, "This is Diagon Alley. Welcome back."

I refused to turn back to him, and knew he would be disappointed that I didn't question him why he thought I had been here before. I certainly had not. Well, I thought, maybe when I was a baby. I had no idea how he would know though.

I kept my eyes straight ahead as we walked passed the various stores. Thankfully it wasn't any better or worse then normal; some stares and whispers, while others didn't notice anything. People were looking equally at Scorpius.

I could see why. Scorpius was an inch or so above six feet, and the word "fit" described him to a tee. He had his white blonde hair tied back in a short ponytail, and yet he was one of the most masculine looking men I had seen. Thick shoulders. I snickered to myself remembering his father's more steamlined frame. Maybe he got those from his mother? Poor girl.

Our walk led us to a side street, and a small café with a roped off outdoor area. Scorpius smiled at a few people, but I refused to look their way.

My father's lessons drilled into my head: If they didn't gain an introduction from someone trusted, then they didn't need recognition.

Scorpius walked up to the podium, and smiled at there middle-aged woman behind it.

"Good afternoon Mrs. Abrams. Might you have my favorite table available?"

I watched as the woman snorted at him. "Yours and everyone elses favorite; without reservations to boot. However, you're in luck that we had a last minute cancellation. A baby that decided not to wait for the due date, obviously going to be a trouble maker," she mused without looking up from her table chart.

I smiled slightly at her. She was no nonsense, and chatted while her wand moved in all directions clearing table and sending plates flying as she walked us to the table. Scorpius whispered to me as we walked, "she's scary like that. Knows absolutely everyone, and still loves me the best."

"Right, you keep thinking that," I responded easily, and received a smile in return.

The table was lovely, on the second floor and out on a private balcony overlooking Diagon Alley. The sound and obscuring charms made it feel private though. A little too private.

We sat and ordered in short order. I found myself watching the Alley and the people that passed by, instead of him. It was far more comfortable.

"You don't remember this place at all do you?" There was nothing but curiosity in his tone.

"No. Though obviously you expect me too." I turned back and considered him. "Why?" I asked.

"Before your Father took you and your brother away you spent a good deal of time here. Fred and George Weasley have a shop just down the street, which you visited constantly from what I am told. I guess you were too young to remember though. Your Father did a good deal of business at the Ministry which is just up the block, and you went to day care just down the street."

"Probably." I refused to discuss my life before my father took us away. There was no point in trying to remember something that I never would. Furthermore, I was uncomfortable that he knew more about that life then I did. I was used to it though.

Thankfully he took the hint.

He asked me about my plans for summer, and I told him that we planned on leaving in a few days. I noticed his face tighten for such a short instant that it could have been a reflex.

After that time flew by, and our lunch entres were eaten before I even realized it. I had to give the man credit, he was an excellent conversationalist. He teased, and prodded me to open up a little more then I was comfortable, but he talked as well. He shared little bits of information that I am sure he told everyone, but was able to say them in a way that he gave the impression of an intimate conversation.

As if each piece of information wasn't already in a little mental file designated as revealable information or safe topic. Things that didn't cause too much damage if they were revealed to a third party or twisted in some way. I thought it was second nature to me, but Scorpius Malfoy seemed to be a master of the nothing conversation.

By the end I had revealed a little more then I had given others, but still nothing that would hurt me too badly when Scorpius gossiped with his friends later. And he would. Almost everyone did eventually.

"Sickle for your thoughts?" I snapped back to the present, and smiled a little. I would have to watch myself with him.

"Just thinking about the delicious meal. I will have to remember this place. Thank you." I watched Scorpius' gaze sharpen for a nanosecond, and wondered at it. It was a nice place I consoled myself, and I would have to take James here one day.

"Yes, well thank you for giving in and joining me." He smiled, and for a moment I lost myself in it. He had a great smile.

I felt something on my hand and glanced down to see him playing with one of my hands. Turning it over in his, palm up, and running the tips of his fingers over the center in a teasing random power. What did he want? I wasn't well versed in this teasing, or what ever this was. Maybe it was time to learn though?

I looked back into his face though, and realized that I was out of my league in experience. Scorpius Malfoy played this game for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I had no idea how to even start it.

I had experience with very few men, and those experiences I had planned every step of the way. They had been sexually experienced good friends, people who had known I virtually knew nothing.

This was not that type of situation.

I felt his finger sliding up my wrist, and snatched my hand back quickly. No reason, I reminded myself to have any kind of temper. Scorpius Malfoy was a fun bloke, he was just playing around like he did to everyone. I could at least be friendly.

When I looked back up he was calm and collected. Good, I wouldn't have to do anything.

"You ready to leave?" I asked, and he nodded.

We made our way down stairs, and out towards Diagon Alley. Without a word we continued up the street while he pointed out the sights to me. It certainly was an interesting blend of stores. Everything one could possibly need seemed to be available in this one location. Eventually, I saw a pet store and stopped dead in front of it.

It couldn't be this simple could it? For the passed two years James and I had tried to track down the breeder of my father's beloved and lost owl, Hedwig. He told us about her sometimes as children when we were in need of a new bed times story. She never did anything spectacular but I could always tell he loved her. Father claimed Hedwig had been smarter then any bird he'd ever owned, and had more personality then any crup he'd met.

That started the search for her breeder, but we never found them. I tried to tamper down my enthusiasm. Certainly a pet shop didn't breed owls, and we had searched aviaries all over Great Britain.

"People buy their owls here?" I question Scorpius not even looking at him.

"Generally, yes. Being a pet store and all that, they tend to sell them rather then the other way around." His amusement rang out.

I am sure he meant it as a joke, but I didn't find it funny. I scrutinized every owl outside but none looked like my father's beloved Hedwig. Her snow white features would have been recognizable.

I walked up to the glass door and gave slight push. Inside was filled with several isles of rats and snakes; separated of course. There was a steady flow of people, but no one stopped me as I walked around the whole perimeter where other owls nested on perches. There were several smaller avian species as well, but not what I was looking for.

I finally made my way to the counter before giving up on the place, where an older man sat trimming the nail of a very upset feline. I could never stand them and neither could Father.

The man barely glanced at me but gruffed out, "something I can help you with?" He sounded as if he wanted to do anything but help me, but I steeled myself. If I walked out with a remark that if customer service wasn't a priority then I would go somewhere where it was, then I would always wonder if this had been the correct place to look.

"Yes," I started, "do you have a list of your owl breeders?"

The man then turned and gave me a crooked amused smile. "You don't get them cheaper just because you get them from the source, son."

I nearly laughed. As if money mattered to me if I could find this breeder. I would pay anything.

"No, you see my Father owned a bird that is somewhat legendary in my family. She may not have been anything out of the ordinary in reality, but I've searched everywhere in order to buy him one related to her. They were rather bonded you see. However, it's been years since she passed away and finding her breeder has been rather difficult." Impossible more like it, but the shop keeper didn't need to know that.

I could see the moment his attention sharpened though, and he put the cat down in a cage. He turned around to a book shelf searching for something. Finally he grabbed an ancient looking notebook with no title on the front. He hummed to himself lightly for long minutes, and I was tempted to thank him for his time and walk out.

"Ah huh, wrong year of course. That's why," he kept talking to himself as he flipped through pages that I couldn't begin to read from my vantage point.

"Yes, there it is. Harry Potter," I startled but stayed silent. Merlin, I hope he wasn't playing me for a fool, "Bought his owl in August, that year. Don't know why I thought it was the next year. Hedwig, I believe she was registered as. Oh, quite good genetics that one."

He glanced back up at me with a sly smile. "Well boy you want to know?"

"Yes!" I said sharply.

He chuckled a bit. I'm sure I looked a little funny. "I never gave out the name of the breeder of Harry Potter's famous snow white bird, no matter how much people bothered me for it. She was his you see. Monterey Avians. They are actually quite common at that aviary, but I stopped purchasing them out of respect for your Father. Would you like me to find out if they have her lines though?"

"Yes. Please, sir. There isn't much I wouldn't do for it." I startled to realize that it was true. There was so little that we could give my Father that gave him genuine pleasure and I had a hunch that this would cap anything else.

The man laughed again. "Yes, well your Father was the same way. Never had much, but Hedwig always had the best he could buy. Come lets use the firecall at the back of the store."

I followed closely, not even thinking about Scorpius, who I knew was behind me. I hope they had one from Hedwig's line, but I would settle for just her coloring, or intelligence. We had owls of course, but never bonded with any of them. They were all spoiled with treats and had a great aviary but I knew it wasn't the same as the bond some people had with their owls.

I didn't even think to listen when the man put a privacy shield around the three us and said a name. A older woman's smiling face appeared quickly though.

"Quinton! Its been a long time, what can I do help you with?"

"I know, an aweful long time really! However, I'm looking for a specific line. A bird related to 5a2y456980." The woman quickly turned away, and I was certain she was looking through her records.

"Oh you're in luck. I got two juveniles related to that one. Trained but not extremely experienced yet. Two boys coming out from the descendents of that particular girl. Look a lot like her actually if memory serves me right, and it always does. You want one?"

I stood in shock and Quinton looked towards me in question. Did I want them? Of course, I wanted them.

"Do you have her line commonly?" I asked, wanting to know if this was a popular line.

"No" the woman said, shaking her head, "the mother bird is the only one I have left out of her line, and she, well she gets a bit testy. Only deigns to have some chicks when she sees fit. Queen of the aviary type, but she amuses me so I keep her. Well that and truthfully I really can't beat the intelligence that she passes along. We always get such wonderful compliments from the owners of chicks."

"I'll take them both." I stated firmly.

Within minutes the woman apparated them over by courier house elves. I peered into the cages, and realized that I had never truly understood how my father could be so attached to an owl but I understood now. If these boys only had half the intelligence gleaming from their eyes as Hedwig had, then they would be magnificent. They looked at me considering, as if they deigned to decide if they wanted anything to do with me.

They would get along quite well in our family, I decided with a good deal of amusement.

We brought them to the counter as other people peared into the chages and I heard some asked to others where I had gotten them from. More then a few upset people exclaimed that they certainly hadn't been outside or around the shop a few moments ago. I would never tell though, and looking back at the owner of the store I knew he wouldn't either. I didn't even blink at the sum Quinton asked, and it actually wasn't inflated at all.

Scorpius held one cage for me as we walked back through the alley, with a lot more attention then before and to the apparition point. The boys could sidelong apparate with me.

I realized as I stood at the point that I had been neglecting Scorpius in my excitement. My manners left something to be desired.

"Sorry, I seemed to just let the moment run away with me." It didn't sound completely unrepentant to my ears, but Scorpius smiled a bit.

"Completely understandable. They are fine looking specimens, and I am certain your Father will enjoy them immensly. Brunch tomorrow?"

Why, I almost sputtered out, just barely catching myself.

"I don't think –" the rest of my polite refusal ended as Scorpius took my hand and brought it too his lips, keeping his eyes locked with mine. What was he playing at?

"It's just brunch Albus. Good conversation with a friendly face."

"Is that what this is?" I asked in all seriousness. Not my level of games, I reminded myself. Never enter a game you can't afford to lose, or there is a possibility of losing. Potter Lesson.

"No," Scorpius whispered. "I just want to get to know you."

He sounded so sincere, and I had not one farthing clue what that meant. Get to know me? Why did I feel certain it wasn't supposed to be a confusing statement?

I gathered up the cages after I had pulled my hand from his tight grip.

"Thank you for the offer, however, it wouldn't be wise. Good day to you Lord Malfoy."

I apparated quickly, seeing just the tail beginning of surprise and anger on his face.

Potter lessons: Don't give up anything you can't afford to lose. I was certain any association with Scorpius Malfoy would go right down that path, and there was no way in hell I was going to do that.