Disclaimer: For the .001% of you that don't already know, I don't own Harry Potter.

(I got that off the best airplane safety video ever: "For the .001% of you that don't know how to fasten a seatbelt...")

Chapter Nineteen: Where Else Would You Live?

Albus sat on the Malfoy parlor couch, leg jittering up and down, shooting glances at Mr. Malfoy's study door.

Why was it taking so long? What were they talking about in there? Was something wrong? Was Scorpius's dad yelling at him? Was he in trouble? Was Albus in trouble? Were they fighting? Was Scorpius okay? Albus chewed his lip, jiggling his leg even faster. This waiting was killing him.

After what seemed like an eternity the door to the study finally opened. Albus stood up so quickly he nearly tripped over his own feet in his haste.

Scorpius was the first to exit the study. His face was unreadable, or would have been if Albus hadn't known him so well. To Albus it showed fatigue and a sort of half-grim, half-peaceful resolution. He smiled at Albus.

"How did it go?"

"Fine," Scorpius murmured, crossing to him and resting his cheek against Albus's black hair. "You worry too much."

Albus wrapped his arms around him. "I can't help it. You look tired."

"It's been a long day."

"Tell me about it."

The door to the study clicked sharply shut and both boys looked up at Draco.

"I respect your choice, Scorpius," he said. "But you will kindly refrain from demonstrating it in this house."

"Yes father," said Scorpius, taking a step back from Albus.

Albus looked between the two Malfoys, struck by how similar they looked; as similar as Albus and his own father.

Draco spoke again. "I'm going to check on your mother. You would do well to pack your things. The sooner you leave the better for all concerned."

Draco swept off up the stairs. Albus turned to Scorpius.

"Leave?"

Scorpius nodded.

"He's kicking you out?"

"Albus Severus," said Scorpius, "he's not kicking me out. I just have to leave. Can you imagine me living under the same roof as my mother after this?"

Albus realized he had a point. But still...

"And he's making you go now? When you've been ill?"

Scorpius shrugged. "As he said, the sooner the better." He started up the stairs to his room, Albus following after.

"But...but..."

"Look, Albus Severus," said Scorpius, turning around in the doorway to his bedroom. "You don't understand my family, and I don't expect you to, but trust me, it's better this way. My father and I both wish I could stay, but with my mother..."—he swallowed—"the way she is, that just isn't possible." He pulled several large trunks out of the closet and began to fold clothes into it.

Albus began emptying Scorpius's drawers.

"And your father?"

Scorpius looked at him, a pair of socks hanging from his hand. "What about my father?"

"What does he think?"

"He knows this is what I want," said Scorpius. "He may not like it, but you heard him, he accepts it. You won't have to fight him, if that's what you're worried about, he understands."

Albus nodded, remembering the brief conversation he had had with Scorpius's father in the hospital waiting room.

"It's not me I was worried about having to fight him," he said gently.

"I know," said Scorpius, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just a little stressed. Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," said Albus, rubbing Scorpius's arm. "Are you okay?" he asked, picking one of Scorpius's shirts with his other hand and attempting to fold it one handed.

Scorpius couldn't help but laugh as Albus fumbled with the shirt. "I will be." He surveyed his half-packed trunks. "This is ridiculous." He pulled out his wand and waved it. Immediately his possessions shot from their places around the room and tucked themselves neatly inside of the trunks on the bed. "That's better."

"I can't believe you're just...leaving like this," said Albus.

"What other choice do I have?" said Scorpius. "This isn't my home anymore, my parents have made that very clear."

"I don't understand why your father is kicking you out if he accepts us," said Albus. "Why doesn't he...I don't know, try to talk some sense into your mother?"

Scorpius sighed again and looked at Albus. "Albus Severus, you love me right?"

"What?" said Albus, taken aback. "Of course I do! You know I do." He took a step toward Scorpius. "Why do you even have to ask? I'd do anything—"

"Even though you admit I'm not perfect, not by a long shot?"

"Well, nobody's perfect," said Albus.

"Exactly," said Scorpius. "And my father loves my mother, even though she's not perfect."

"'Not perfect' is an understatement," muttered Albus.

Scorpius gave him a reproving look. "She's my mother Albus. And you overlook a lot of things when you're in love."

"Sorry," said Albus. "It's just...I know this is hurting you. I don't like seeing you hurt."

"I know, love," said Scorpius, moving closer to Albus, so that their bodies were touching. "But I'll be alright, I have you." He smiled, and Albus couldn't help but smile back.

"We'll all be hurting if I stay here. My mother and I because of each other, and my father because the two of us are hurting, just like you're hurting now because I am. I know it's hard for you to wrap your mind around, with your wonderful, big, loving family, but I wasn't planning on living here for very much longer anyway, it was only ever going to be my home until I graduated from Hogwarts. I'm just moving out a little early is all."

Albus pressed his lips gently to the side of Scorpius's neck. Scorpius brought one arm around Albus, pulling him close, the other hand tangling in his raven hair.

"Scorpius? Are you ready?"

The boys broke apart.

"Yes, father." Scorpius flicked his wand at his trunks and they rose off the ground to hover in front of him. He spared one last glance at the room that had been his since he was born, now stripped bare of everything he deemed worth taking with him. Albus laid a hand on his back.

"Well," said Scorpius, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Time to go."

Albus and Scorpius returned to the parlor, where Draco was waiting for them.

"Goodbye," said Scorpius, nodding to his father.

Draco stuck out his hand. Scorpius took it in his own and Draco clasped it tightly in both of his.

"Goodbye, Scorpius," he said with real affection in his voice, and Albus could swear he saw tears glittering in Draco's eyes, but it had to be a trick of the light. "Be well, travel safely. If you need anything you know where to find me. Send me an owl." He clapped Scorpius on shoulder. "Good luck," he said. Then, to both Albus's and Scorpius's surprise, he held out his hand to Albus. "To both of you."

Albus shook Draco's hand briefly. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. This means a lot to us."

"You take care of my son," Draco said. "Don't give me reason to think I'm making a mistake."

Albus nodded nervously. "I will, I won't, I promise."

Draco nodded once in approval. "I'll hold you to that, Albus."

Draco saw the boys to the door, and then he shut it behind them and they were gone, leaving Malfoy Manor behind them, large and imposing. They looked at each other.

"Your father loves you," said Albus, not sure whether he was surprised or not.

"I know," said Scorpius thickly.

"So do I."

Scorpius smiled. "I know that too."

Scorpius shook himself a little. "Well, I guess the first thing to do is to go to Diagon Alley and rent a flat for myself for until school starts."

Albus gaped at him. "Rent a flat? Whatever for?"

Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "To live in for the rest of the summer..."

"But you're going to live with me!" said Albus as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Scorpius blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You're going to live with me," Albus repeated.

"When did we decide that?"

"I thought it was a given," said Albus. "Where else would you live if you can't live at your own house? Don't...don't you want to live with me?"

"What?" said Scorpius. "Of course! I mean...I'd love too... Only, would your family be okay with it?"

"Of course they will," said Albus confidently. "My family likes you. And you've stayed with us plenty of times before."

"Yeah, for visits," said Scorpius, "but this is different."

"How so?" said Albus, "I just spent three weeks at your house, didn't I?

"But...Albus Severus..." said Scorpius slowly. "What about...you know...us?"

Albus looked at him in confusion. "What about us?"

"Your family doesn't know that we're together. They don't even know you're gay. Are you going to tell them or..."

"Oh...yeah..." said Albus, biting his lip. "Well, I suppose I'm going to have to tell them, aren't I, if you're going to be staying with us. Wouldn't that be a nightmare to try and hide." He smiled somewhat nervously. "That's okay, I don't mind. I want them to know."

"Will your mother let me live with you if she knows we're together?" asked Scorpius quietly.

Albus kissed his cheek. "Not in the same room, no, but she'll let you stay in the house. My family likes you, remember? Even if you are a Malfoy. They're not going to stop liking you because you're dating me, and they're not going to let you go live by yourself in a Diagon Alley flat!"

Scorpius turned his head and caught Albus's lips briefly with his own. "You make all of this worthwhile," he murmured. "I trust you."

"I don't even trust myself most of the time," said Albus. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve you as a friend, let alone as my boyfriend."

"Just being you Albus Severus," said Scorpius. "That's enough."

Albus sighed. "At least one of us thinks so." He cut Scorpius off before he could respond. "Now, the real first thing to do is go visit Rose. She will have just gotten back from her vacation and I'm sure she's going frantic."

Scorpius started laughing. "I feel sorry for Hugo."

"Every day, mate," said Albus, joining in, "every single day."

AN: Ok, so that was short and lame and uneventful. Sorry :( I hope you'll review anyway...

-SQ