James returned home the next day, dropping his battered backpack on the floor and moving forward to pluck an apple from a bowl on the table. Mid-bite, he realized his parents were also at the table… waiting for him? That was odd. "…Hi," He said slowly, and forced a smile to his face. Ginny tried to smile back, but her lips quivered nervously, and Harry just looked slightly uncomfortable. "Everything okay?"

"I saw Scorpius Malfoy in Diagon Alley," his father said as way of a reply. In other words, no, everything was not okay.

James' posture stiffened a bit at this but he tried to remain casual. He took a seat and bit into the piece of fruit he still held poised before his mouth. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. He thanked me for letting you stay with his family over Christmas," Harry stared his son down, almost as if daring him to deny it. "He also said you were dating his brother. Alexander, Alan, whatever his name is. How very strange, right? I wonder where ever he came up with that story."

James returned his father's stare with an even gaze, trying desperately to gather the courage to confirm what was said. "His name is Alexi." A look of confusion passed over his parents' faces and they exchanged a glance. Did that mean it was true? James continued before they needed to press further. "We've been together for years. I didn't think you'd approve, but now I see that is silly. Of course you'll accept it, right?" Wishful thinking.

"You're with a Malfoy and you expected us to just be okay with it?" Harry growled under his breath, hands clenching into fists as he fought to remain calm.

"Why do you think they're all bad people?" James shot back, losing his nervousness and now just getting angry. "Scorpius? Yeah, he's foul. I don't know what happened between you and their father, but he has been nothing but kind to me. And Alexi… he is the cutest, sweetest, most loving and selfless person. He cooks with their house elves and leaves food for the boggart! Does that sound horrible to you?"

"Boggarts are bad. And he feeds them. He's fueling their evil."

"Are you serious?" James turned to look at Ginny, "Is he serious?"

"Calm down, you two," she interjected in her motherly tone. "I can't approve of the relationship, not yet anyways. But I think we owe it to James to meet him at least."

Harry looked at her like she was the worst sort of traitor, but finally threw his hands up in defeat. "Whatever, fine. Bring him home."

"Do I look okay?" Alexi asked straightening his Ravenclaw scarf then tugging nervously at the pockets on his jeans. He was all fidgety nervousness, absolutely trembling from head to toe. He hurried back to the mirror and rebraided his long hair. Was it too loose? Would they think he looked messy? Bangs behind his ear or across his forehead? He pinned them back and left the braid as it was. He pinched his cheeks, suddenly deciding he was too pale, and bit at his lips. But that just made them look swollen. Oh no, they would think he and James had been snogging! He looked back at his lover, on the brink of tears. He just knew they were going to hate him.

"Oh, Lexi," James chuckled and pulled the smaller boy into his arms. "Stop worrying. You are so lovely; beautiful inside and out. There is no way they won't like you." He pressed a reassuring kiss to his forehead. "Ready?"

Alexi drew in a deep breath then nodded. Next thing he knew, they were standing outside the Potters', and James wasted leading him inside. "Mum! Dad! We're here."

Ginny inched cautiously into the room, fake smile plastered on her face. Her gaze flickered from her son to the short blonde standing beside him, nervousness in his eyes but a smile pulling at his lips. "Dinner will be ready in ten minutes," she informed them then turned and walked away again.

Alexi looked up at James, eyes widened with horror. "She's just busy cooking," the older male hurried to explain even though he knew that wasn't true. All she had to do was put the food into pots, give it a tap with her wand, and it cooked itself. Oh, Merlin, please let this night turn out okay.