Disclaimer: I own only the original characters and the storyline. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling.

"I don't see what's the hurry." Al mumbled as he was pulled along towards the exit of their coach in the Hogwarts Express, "I can meet them when I come to stay at yours next week."

Scorpius frowned, slowing his gait and turning to study his boyfriend's pale face and wary eyes. A realisation struck him and warmth coursed through him as he stopped walking altogether and turned to face his Slytherin, "Al, are you nervous about meeting my parents?"

A rush of red coloured Al's cheeks as he tried his best to look indignant, "What?! No! Of course not!"

Scorpius chuckled, wrapping his arm around the boy he loved and pulling him into one of the empty compartments. He then brought Al closer so he could nuzzle his face in his Slytherin's neck, "I love you." He reminded the other boy softly.

"Yes, well, it's not you I'm worried about." Al mumbled, sounding hopelessly embarrassed.

Scorpius lifted his head and framed his boyfriend's red face with his hands, "I love you so they will too."

With Scorpius so close, Al finally let go of the guard he'd had up since leaving Hogwarts that morning, letting the Gryffindor see the fear in his eyes. "What if we were both wrong? What if you get along well with my family and I'm horrible with yours? It'll be one more place I don't belong and I—" A shudder went through Al's body as he shut his eyes tightly, "I don't want to make things more difficult for you."

"You are such a tosser, Al." Scorpius said sadly, running his fingers through the other boy's unruly black hair, "How long have you been worrying about this?"

Al grimaced, "Since the minute I agreed to spend part of the Christmas holidays at yours."

Scorpius's gaze hardened, "You're supposed to tell me these things. I told you not to hide from me."

Al said nothing, only turned his face away with a slight air of defiance. But Scorpius saw through the defiance to the uncertain, insecure boy he was in love with and his eyes blazed with determination. He angled his boyfriend's face so grey eyes met green and he said in a low voice, "Al, listen to me carefully, alright? I've spent the better part of my life half in love with you and regardless of what anyone else says, you loving me is the best thing that has ever happened to me. You're painfully gorgeous and smart and sexy as sin and I thank Merlin every day that you never came out in Hogwarts before we got together because I honestly don't know if you would have noticed me amidst your several admirers." Al opened his mouth to protest that, but Scorpius silenced him with a look before continuing. "Yes, there are some colossal idiots in this world who think like Smith, but Al, your family adores you. Your mum and dad would be devastated if they knew how you felt about your place in the family. So this has to be the last time I see you putting yourself down." Scorpius leaned forward to brush his lips against his stunned boyfriend's temple, "You are wonderful and incredibly strong. Don't forget that, love."

Al let the words wash over him once, then again and again, knowing he would never forget them. He could never forget them. Not when Scorpius had spoken each one so sincerely. He released a shaky breath and shifted so he was looking into his Gryffindor's eyes; brimming with tears and warm with love.

"I love you." He breathed, pulling Scorpius forward to kiss him with such force that he ended up knocking them both over so Al was flat on his back on one of the benches in the compartment. Scorpius hummed his approval as he grabbed fistfuls of Al's black leather jacket and pressed himself closer, deepening the kiss. When the Gryffindor finally broke off the kiss, Al felt a sense of security and peace stronger than anything he'd ever felt before. He tightened his hold on Scorpius's waist, "Thank you."

Scorpius sat up, shifting Al so he was astride his lap, leaning his forehead against the Slytherin's, "Just don't keep it to yourself next time, okay?"

"Hmm." Al smiled, pressing a light kiss to Scorpius's lips.

"They're over here!"

Both boys started as the compartment door was thrown open and both James and Lily clambered in.

"You are both in for it." James said, panting slightly, "Al, get off him!"

Still too bewildered to move, Al let himself be pulled bodily off of Scorpius and onto his feet. Scorpius stood as well, "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?!" Lily's cry was nearly shrill, making all three boys cringe, "You both have been missing for the past half hour. The train is about to leave and return to Hogwarts. Why are you still in here?!"

Scorpius and Al exchanged sheepish looks, "Well, actually-"

"Al!" Harry and Ginny burst into the compartment along with Draco and Astoria, matching expressions of panic on all four faces until they caught sight of their sons.

"Scorpius!" Astoria rushed to her son, pulling him into a tight hug, "Oh goodness, we were so worried! We knew you both had boarded the train, but no one saw you getting out. We were ready to go to the aurors when James suggested checking the train first."

Draco Malfoy studied his son's dishevelled appearance and his companion's mortified expression as he was fussed over by his parents. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head slightly. "Really boys, you couldn't wait until you were off the train?"

Both boys flushed red, their eyes darting to one another for a moment. Scorpius's lips curved in an encouraging smile as he held out his hand to the boy who had to be Albus Potter. Draco studied him, marvelling at how alike his father he was in every way but height. He seemed to have inherited the Weasley genes in that respect, standing as tall as Scorpius. Black hair, intelligent green eyes that were not hidden behind glasses, and sharp features made him quite an attractive young man. Draco could see why this boy had caught his son's eye. There was something in the aura that surrounded Albus Potter that drew people's eyes to him. Something subtle, but definitely present. The boy seemed to have the commanding presence and arrogant confidence that his father had always lacked.

Draco watched as that confidence wavered slightly when Albus linked his hands with Scorpius's and turned to face him and Astoria. The boy was nervous, and the thought made Draco want to smile. He didn't though.

"Father, Mother, this is Albus Potter, my boyfriend. Al, my parents." Scorpius introduced, squeezing Al's hand lightly.

Al allowed a smile to curve his lips as he held out his hand for Draco Malfoy to shake, "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

Draco let the boy's hand hang mid-air for a moment, noticing the way it trembled slightly, before sliding his hand into its grasp, shaking firmly. Despite the tremble, the boy's handshake was firm and strong. Good. He allowed himself to smile now, "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Albus. Scorpius's letters have been about little less but you for the past few months."

Astoria chuckled as her son's boyfriend blushed at her husband's words. Really, but he was gorgeous. Scorpius had chosen well. Her eyes flitted to her son, taking in the openly besotted look on his face as he watched Al, before she stepped forward to pull the boy into a hug, "I'm so happy to finally meet you." She stepped away from Albus, keeping her arms on the boy's shoulders, "We can't wait to have you at home."

Harry and Ginny watched their son's face become redder than they had ever seen it as he conversed with his boyfriend's parents and exchanged bemused smiles. This was a side of Al they hadn't seen in a long time.

The train's whistle sounded startling everyone in the compartment. Harry cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, "Maybe we should continue this outside?"

When they were on the platform, the Malfoys pulled their son into a hug, one at a time, "Well, you have fun at the Potters'. We'll see you in a week's time." Draco said, clapping his son on the back before turning to Al, "You too, Albus. We look forward to welcoming you into our home."

"Thank you, sir." Al grinned, feeling more relaxed now that the entire ordeal was over.

Scorpius laced his fingers through Al's as they walked toward the car with the rest of the Potter household. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Al chuckled, "No, it wasn't." He glanced toward his parents who had their backs to them and pressed a quick kiss to Scorpius's lips.

"You both are barking mad. Snogging on the train after it reached London." James muttered, shaking his head, "What if it had been Dad or Mr Malfoy who found you?"

Al paled at the thought, "Merlin, that would have been awful."

Scorpius snickered, "Oh, I don't know. I'm sure both our fathers know we snog."

Al narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend, "You are never going to snog me in front of our fathers. Or mothers. Or any member of the family really."

Scorpius's amusement fell away and astonishment took its place, "What? Al! You must be joking! You have like fifty people in your family!"

Al raised a single brow, "Do I look like I'm joking?" He asked seriously.

Scorpius groaned as James and Lily laughed. Harry and Ginny, who weren't walking quite so far ahead that they couldn't hear the whispered conversation behind them, grinned.

Harry raised a single brow as he turned to peruse his eldest son and his daughter, both of whom were hovering just outside the doorway of his study. "We're not about to kill them." He said dryly, "Go and unpack. Al and Scorpius will join you both shortly."

Lily nodded, disappearing up the stairs. After hesitating for a moment, James followed her. Ginny closed the study door, chuckling before turning to face the two teenagers standing nervously in the middle of the room.

"Harry wasn't lying, you know." She said, bemused, "I thought our letter made it clear that we approve of you both as a couple."

Al grimaced, "Why ask to speak to us alone then?"

Harry came to stand between both boys, throwing an arm around each of their shoulders, "Well, Al, this is the first time you've brought a boy home. We need to cover some ground rules. I've already had this talk with your brother, so it's your turn now. I hope to God I never need to have this talk with Lily."

Scorpius snorted, "Al and James echo your sentiments." He said, flashing Harry a grin.

Harry laughed, squeezing Al's shoulder, "Right, I meant to commend you for that Al. We haven't received one letter about indecent behaviour in public about Lily this year."

"Yet." Ginny said dryly, rolling her eyes.

Harry grimaced, and Scorpius marvelled at how much like Al he looked at that moment, "Yes well, I still count it as a minor victory."

"Dad, can you please just get on with your 'talk'? What ground rules?" Al asked suspiciously. James had mentioned nothing about this to him beforehand. He was going to kill him.

Harry cleared his throat, "Right. Well, first rule is obviously that you will not be sharing a room. Scorpius will stay with James, as he always has."

"What?!" Al scowled, "Why? We're both blokes, what does it matter?"

"You're both blokes who are dating." Ginny corrected, her brown eyes meeting her son's indignant gaze, "Don't think I don't know what blokes who date get up to, Al. I bought a book."

Al turned red with embarrassment, "Mum!"

Scorpius found himself torn between laughing and being completely mortified. The hilarity won out and he let out a short bark of laughter, earning a kick in the shins from his boyfriend. Al scowled at Scorpius then rolled his eyes, "Fine, that's rule one. What are the other rules?"

"We've got nothing against public displays of affection, but tone it down during family gatherings. That's the second rule."

"That's fair." Scorpius admitted, nodding.

"He'll be lucky if he gets any display of affection." Al quipped.

Scorpius groaned, "You're killing me, Al."

"Should have thought about it before you laughed."

Harry snorted in amusement, "I'd like to sum up our talk with the third rule, no sex under my roof."

Al smirked, "That must be a hard rule for you to follow, Dad."

"Ha ha. Wise ass." Harry rolled his eyes, "Let me rephrase, none of my kids are to have sex under my roof unless they are married. Preferably not even then." He looked at Al expectantly.

Al shrugged, "It shouldn't be an issue."

Harry blinked, "Oh." He exchanged looks with Ginny, "Is it just me or was this talk a lot harder with James?"

Ginny chuckled, "It's not just you." She moved forward and hugged first Al then Scorpius, "I'm so happy for you both. Really."

Al cleared his throat, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck, "Thanks Mum. You too, Dad. I-It—" He broke off, looking toward Scorpius who grinned at him, "This means a lot to me. So thank you for being okay with it."

Harry and Ginny exchanged mildly surprised looks as they nodded. Both boys left the room then, waiting until they were outside before linking hands.

"Well."

"Well."

Harry looked to his wife, "He's in love with Scorpius."

Ginny grinned, "I was wondering if you'd notice."

"Do you think they'll be okay? This is just the beginning." He said worriedly.

Ginny wrapped her arm around Harry's waist and leaned into him, "As long as they stick together? I think they'll be fine."

Harry sighed, "I hope so." A slight smile curved his lips, "I like seeing Al happy."

"Me too."

And Draco Malfoy makes an appearance :) I really quite like him.

So, what did you think of the 'meet the parents' chapter? Leave a review please!

~Living to Laugh and Love