Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the storyline. Thanks for sticking around till the end.

Note: Congrats to lynxpanther who of course recognized that Jacob from 'For 10 Galleons' was the hidden character, though he was only mentioned due to the plot of last chapter.

Finally Understand

After clothes were very hastily found and donned the two men got the hell out of their building and apparated as closely to Hogwarts as the shields around it would allow them to. Luckily Albus's strides were long and therefore he kept up relatively well with the man beside him who was doing some very restrained running as they headed up the path leading to their former school. Albus considered pointing out to Scorpius that the odds that Hagrid would suddenly decide that he just had to read that book after all these years was miniscule, but he had a feeling the Slytherin would not react well to his attempt to placate him.

That and now that he knew that they'd both been hot for each other all this time…well he wanted to make up for lost time which so wasn't happening if Scorpius was pissed at him, Albus silently acknowledged with a sexy little smile.

Though angry sex could be really, really good between them if their dreams were anything to go be.

They were almost on school grounds when it occurred to the Gryffindor that there could be another reason why the Slytherin could be so freaked out over the fact that the letter had accidentally ended up in Hagrid's possession.

"Scorpius…the letter was addressed to me, right? You didn't leave that part blank, did you?"

Turning his head Scorpius gave Albus's a horrified look, having not even considered that possible scenario. Dear Merlin, what if he hadn't addressed it to its intended recipient? The games keeper might have actually thought he was hitting on him.

It was enough to make him thankful he hadn't had breakfast. He would have thrown it up then and there otherwise.

"Scorpius?"

"It had your name on it. He would have known it was for you if he'd read it."

Thank Merlin, Albus silently breathed, not even wanting to think about the sort of conversation he'd have to have with his father's friend if it had been otherwise. Not to mention how psychologically damaging it would have been for the half giant, thinking he'd received a love letter from a Malfoy.

Both men concentrated solely on getting to their destination after that as they crossed the grounds they knew like the back of their hands, eyes on the prize so to speak.

They were starting down the hill towards Hagrid's hut when they heard Albus's name being called, both looking up and over to spot James Potter at the top of the hill with his new dog and the school's Muggle Studied professor at his side, the older man having apparently decided to walk with the other two.

Cupping his hands together around his mouth Albus yelled back to his brother that they were in a hurry but that he'd explain his presence at the school later. As an afterthought Albus greeted the silent, white haired professor watching them calmly from his brother's side since he knew better than to get on the man's bad side by being rude. Professor Owens might have been pretty damn hot but he had always reminded Albus a little too much of Andromeda Tonks for comfort. You just didn't want to ever piss him off.

Doing the same for the same reason Scorpius raised a hand in acknowledgement and then tugged insistently on Albus's arm, making it clear that he wasn't going to wait for the man.

Watching the two men continue towards their destination, which was either Hagrid's hut or the Forbidden Forest, James turned his head to look questioningly at the older man beside him. "So what do you suppose those two are up to?" He'd long ago accepted the likelihood that one day his brother was going to end up dating the Malfoy heir, but their actions had seemed a little odd.

"Don't go after them." Was the other teacher's advice, knowing the way James's mind worked all too well. "If they needed or wanted your help your brother would have asked for it." It went without saying that Scorpius Malfoy would die before he'd ask James for help.

And knowing the extreme sense of curiosity his former pupil possessed Professor Owens thought it best to subtly place a commanding hand on the redhead's lower back and then started steering the man away from the direction the other two men had gone, whistling lightly under his breath to make sure their canine companion fell into step with them as they headed back towards the castle.

)

As they neared the hut Albus turned to look at Scorpius, reminding the Slytherin that he needed to let him do all the talking. While Hagrid didn't hate this particular member of the Malfoy family he was still distrustful even thought Scorpius had stayed out of the half giant's way during his seven years at the school. Hagrid wasn't going to want Scorpius in his place either, and it would only make things take longer if the Slytherin were to put the older man's back up.

Knowing the other man was right Scorpius nodded, too focused on what they'd come to get to care about anything else.

Luck was with them and the door opened within seconds of Albus knocking when they arrived, Hagrid obviously surprised to find the two of them on his doorstep.

"Hello, Hagrid, sorry to barge in on you so early but it's important. It's also a really long story but I really, really need to look at the contents of your bookshelves. Now. Please."

Picking up on the urgency in the boy's voice Hagrid nodded, moving off to the side as he motioned them in. He didn't like having the Malfoy boy in his home, that was for sure, but it was obvious that the two were together and this seemed to be equally important to the both of them. Though why they'd be wanting to look at his meager book collection was beyond him, Hagrid thought as he stroked his beard in contemplation. Perhaps Malfoy's owl had gotten really sick or something? That'd be a shame, he'd met the owl a few times when it had come with Freckles to deliver letters to him. It had always seemed like a real nice creature to him, very polite and well trained.

The half giant's bookshelf held about two dozen books, most of them presents from Hermione or other former students. They all had to do with magical creatures in some way or another and looked relatively new due to the fact that he rarely read them more than once.

Picking out the right book easily Albus turned it upside down and shook, a cream colored envelope falling out of it and into the hand Scorpius automatically shot out to catch it.

"Now how'd that get there?" Hagrid wanted to know, surprise on his face.

"Long story." Albus informed him absently, his eyes on the envelope until it disappeared into Scorpius's pocket. Only then was he able to focus, putting the book away where he'd found it before turning to meet the older man's gaze. "I'll write you later explaining, but for now we have to go somewhere and…deal with the contents of that envelope. Sorry for bursting in and then out again, I'll stay and chat another time, promise."

"It's all right, got to be heading up to the castle shortly for breakfast anyway."

Hoping Albus wouldn't be long in cluing him in, he was damn curious now, Hagrid saw them both out and waved them off before closing the door behind them once more.

The two walked off a short distance and then Scorpius took out the envelope, quickly opening it and pulling out the letter. And with hands that shook slightly he unfolded the single piece of parchment, the coat of arms inscribed over the top identifying it as his personal stationary. The words on the page were in his hand, the differences between his teenage handwriting and his current style barely noticeable.

The letter had indeed remained in the book he'd stuck it in all these years…Albus had never seen it.

Having come around to stand at Scorpius's side Albus read the letter, not surprised that it wasn't remotely romantic and was very much to the point. It was Scorpius all over really, Albus decided as his heart squeezed in a sad but good way. Because now they knew the truth. There would be no more misunderstandings if he had anything to say about it.

And if nothing else…well this just highlighted the fact that women were right to say communication was key when it came to developing a solid relationship.

"I should have just approached you myself…I shouldn't have done the cowardly thing and-this is my fault." It was near to impossible to swallow, but Scorpius couldn't deny the fact that the blame was squarely on his shoulders. They'd been missing each other for years because he hadn't had the guts to tell the other man that he was in love with him years ago.

Leaning down Albus pressed his lips against Scorpius's, silencing any further berating.

"Hush." He said softly when he lifted his head again, his arms wrapped around the other man's waist to keep him in place. "I should have confronted you when you stopped wanting to be around me. Hell, I should have told you how I felt about you even before you stuck that letter in my book bag. We're both to blame and…and to hell with it, we've got each other now, right?"

"Right." Scorpius echoed softly, a soft smile curving his lips. "Though you were right about you really being too tall for me."

"Sorry about that."

Scorpius pulled Albus's head down for another kiss, getting on tippy toes for the occasion. "You should be."

)

Six Months Later

The lights were dim as the lone couple moved across the dance floor, the two encircled by their friends and family as the spotlight followed every move they made. The sight of the first dance had numerous people reaching for handkerchiefs or blinking back tears, many thinking that they'd thought this day would never come thanks to the sheer bullheadedness of the two in question. But they'd finally accepted that they were meant to be and that was what mattered.

Not that they wouldn't still fight like two wet cats in a sack, everyone agreed. That went without saying.

Smiling as he watched the couple Albus wrapped his arms around the waist of his fellow best man, pulling the shorter Slytherin against him as they watched their two best friends dance together.

While he normally hated for their difference in height to be made so obvious in public Scorpius leaned back against his lover, content to allow it for the length of the song. After that they apparently had to dance on punishment of death if he dragged his feet so this minor embarrassment was nothing in comparison to what was coming.

Rose Weasley Daimon was not a woman he wanted to mess with, especially given the way she'd been acting during the wedding planning process.

Thank Merlin it was finally over.

And saying as much to his lover Scorpius went as pale as a ghost when Albus resorted that they were safe from her wild move swings only until she got pregnant because then she'd probably be even worse.

"Why do you put these images in my head? Why?"

"Would you like a different image in your head?" Albus murmured in the Slytherin's ear, nipping it teasingly before placing his lips lightly against the sensitive shell while he whispered about what he had planned for the other man that night once the reception was over and they could head home to their place.

Murmuring his appreciation and agreement Scorpius mentally savored the new mental images his lover had put into his mind, especially the one involving them taking a bottle of champagne home with them and taking turns licking it off the other's naked body. Now that was a mental image worth dwelling on.

Pity they were stuck until the end since they were the best men.

And one of the reasons their title sucked was because as the song playing faded out and as Sev and Rosie kissed Fred Weasley called out that the wedding party needed to join the bride and groom on the dance floor with the rest of the guests free to join them halfway through the song.

Resigned to his fate Scorpius allowed himself to be tugged onto the dance floor, ignoring the people gathered all around to watch. On the other side of the floor he could see Alexei looking even less enthused about having to dance, but obvious he too didn't want to face the wrath of the newly married couple who were dangerous enough on their own without working as a team. He felt for the guy, they were both hooked on men who were too damn tall and had too damn big a family for their Slytherin piece of minds.

Having already made it clear that he was leading Scorpius gave Albus a questioning look when the music started, not recognizing the opening to the song. "This is a Muggle song, isn't it?"

Albus murmured a yes even as he looked over in his cousin's direction knowingly. She'd picked this song deliberately, knowing that this was probably going to be the one time he got Scorpius onto the dance floor. "It's called 'I Swear'."

Something about the other man's tone tipped Scorpius off that the song had meaning to him, the Slytherin paying attention to it as they swayed to the music, his lips curving as he understood why. And understanding had him wrapping his arms more securely around his man, loving it when he was held just as lovingly.

And when the song had reached its halfway point they were joined by the other couples, Scorpius closing his eyes in contentment as he let Albus take over, sure that they'd hardly be noticed in the crowd now.

Meanwhile Albus kept his eyes open, enjoying the sight of the many couples on the floor, loving that the people he loved most in the world were as happy as he was. The bride and groom, Domi and Christopher, Hugo and Alexei, his parents and Scorpius's.

Love was in the air, and it just didn't get much better than that.

)

Hours later Albus waited until Scorpius had unlocked the door and pocketed his key before he reached down and scooped the shocked Slytherin into his arms, using his back to widen the door further as he carried his man over the threshold. And ignoring Scorpius vocal accusations that he'd lost his mind Albus kicked the door closed behind them and then turned around to bring the other man close to the door, suggesting that Scorpius had better lock their door for him.

Not at all pleased with his present predicament Scorpius locked the door and then again demanded to be put down.

To save them an argument Albus used his magic to relocate them to their bedroom, gently tossing the Slytherin onto their bed and grinning when Scorpius immediately shifted up to his knees, glaring at him. He could feel it even though he couldn't see it, and then he could because Scorpius turned the bedside lamp on so he could get the full effect of his scowl. "What? I'm not allowed to practice carrying you over the threshold?"

Surprise had the dark look disappearing from Scorpius's face. "And just why would you need to practice that?" And then the meaning behind carrying someone over a threshold popped into his mind, color flooding his cheeks as his eyes went huge as he stared at his lover.

"Because practice makes perfect." Was Albus's smooth response as he shrugged out of his dress robes, tossing the garment onto the bed before going to work on his dress shirt. "I'll have it down when the time comes."

"And you think that day will be coming in the near future?" Scorpius asked softly as he watched every move the man made, enjoying the way the soft light illuminated the body he loved so much.

Albus grinned as he reached out to stroke the other man's blonde hair back, his love in his eyes. "Eventually, when we've got living together figured out."

"You and your animals."

"Me and my animals."

Hand sliding up so that his fingers could encircle the other man's wrist Scorpius gave it a faint tug, making it clear that he wanted Albus to join him on the bed. "Come remind me why I put up with you and your menagerie."

Smiling at the familiar request Albus finished undressed and then did as silently commanded, stretching out on the bed for his lover's pleasure. When the Slytherin climbed on top of him Albus was more than ready to demonstrate his feelings, kissing Scorpius passionately despite the late hour and the fact that they were so exhausted they'd forgotten the champagne they'd had such hot plans for.

And when they stopped for some air Albus's lips moved along his man's jaw in a string of kisses, the Gryffindor whispering Scorpius's name before he gently sucked the blonde's earlobe into his mouth, flicking the stud there with his tongue.

Moaning his pleasure at the action Scorpius reached out to finger the identical stud in the man's ear that marked his lover as his. "I love you."

Removing his mouth from one of its favorite places to be Albus was all but purring as he returned the sentiment.

"I love you too."

What they had together was better than any dream, and that was one thing they'd always agree on.

The End