"It's sort of exciting, isn't it? Breaking the rules."
– Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

ACT FIVE SCENE EIGHT

HOGWARTS, LIBRARY

ALBUS stands next to the bookcases, looking sorrowful. He has taken a book from the shelves and is browsing through it absentmindedly. He's too distressed to concentrate on the words, his mind keeps going back to SCORPIUS's letter and the brief message it included. He's just following his friend's instructions and waiting for him to come to the library. ALBUS doesn't know exactly when SCORPIUS will arrive but he's sure he will, and he's ready to wait as long as it takes.

Finally, he hears SCORPIUS approaching from the back.

SCORPIUS (sad but still hopeful): I didn't expect you to be here. I didn't think you'd care for it.

ALBUS (defensive): And yet here you are to see if I'd turn up. I got your little message. 'Meet me in the library tomorrow after classes. I've got something important to tell you.' What is it, then?

SCORPIUS (hurt): What use is saying it now? Don't you have some girl to snog anyway?

ALBUS: You're one to talk!

He catches the look in SCORPIUS's eyes and starts melting.

Sorry. That – the kiss you saw – was a mistake, a stupid mistake. But it's over now. The effect of the potion has already wore off.

SCORPIUS (confused): Potion? What potion?

ALBUS (feeling ashamed): A cheap love potion I gave Polly Chapman to make her fall in love with me. As I said, stupid mistake.

SCORPIUS (even more confused): Why would you do that? You know love potions can't produce real love, it's just a trick that only causes a lot of troubles. And since when do you like Polly? She's a beauty, of course, but I thought you liked older women—

ALBUS: I don't – believe me, I really don't like her. And that thing about older women has never been true. I was infatuated with Delphi, yes, but it had more to do with acceptance and recognition than attraction. I just when along with your joke.

SCORPIUS: Why did you gave a love potion to Polly then?

ALBUS (lowering his gaze): I just – I didn't think. Now that you're going out with Rose, I wanted to prove to myself that I could go on with my life as well – get a girlfriend, don't fall behind. I guess I kind of wanted to prove it to you, too.

SCORPIUS: Me?

ALBUS (looking miserable): Show you that I didn't need you – that I didn't care – as you obviously don't need me. But look at me. (Laughs sarcastically, it turns into a sad smile.) You leave a note and I come running. I can't even pretend to have a date with a girl without feeling terrible. Because that's what you made me feel. (All the rage he bottled up finally releases.) We were happy before – I mean, we were hopeless losers, but we had each other, and we were fine, we were happy. But then what? You decide we have to change, become a new version of ourselves, and suddenly it's all about Rose, and you make me fee like nothing, Scorpius. I am nothing. (He suppresses a tear.)

SCORPIUS (struggling to breathe): You're the most important person I know. The only important person.

ALBUS (exhales loudly): Yeah. (Attempts another smile, it looks more like a gnashing of teeth.) Better don't tell that to Rose.

SCORPIUS: I'm not going out with Rose.

ALBUS (shocked): What did you say?

SCORPIUS: I won't keep dating Rose.

ALBUS: But it looked like you were having a really good time in Hogsmeade the other day.

SCORPIUS: We sorted out some things and we decided to stay just friends – wait, did you spy on us?

ALBUS (both relieved and embarrassed): Well, I sort of did. Sorry. I guess I was a bit – I mean, just a tiny bit jealous.

SCORPIUS (dropping a genuine smile): You've been jealous over me?

ALBUS: Must have been, yeah. (Changing the subject not to let the embarrassment overcome him.) Why it didn't work out between you and Rose?

SCORPIUS: It wasn't her fault. The day went all right, we had plenty of sweets, and she was her usual self – witty, feisty, honest. But I understood that it wasn't her the one I wanted to spend the afternoon in Hogsmeade with. I understood that it wasn't her who I wanted to be anywhere with.

ALBUS's heart skips a beat.

ALBUS: Okay. That's an interesting epiphany. (Takes a deep breath.) Do you also happen to have understood who would you like to be with?

SCORPIUS: I think I've known for a while already. (Pause.) And I think you have too.

He leans towards ALBUS to make sure he hears what he's about to say. Their breaths meet.

(Whispering.) Because I like you, you know that? I really like you. I like you. A lot. Most of the time I would rather be with you than anyone else I know – including Rose. I'm so glad I met you.

He distances himself from ALBUS again, worrying about the consequences of what he just said.

And I should probably shut up now. I'm not good at dealing with difficult emotional issues, that's why I asked you to meet in the library. At least the presence of books is of some comfort. (He forces a smile.)

ALBUS feels a heavy weight leave his chest, replaced by a warmth. He finds the courage to reach for SCORPIUS and takes his hand.

ALBUS: You know I've always liked you too, since the first time I met you in the train with your silly sweets and songs and smoke coming out of your ears.

SCORPIUS: There you go, all dry humor and Albus-y as always.

They both laugh and hold hands more firmly, feeling as if everything is finally right.

ALBUS: I'm still a bit confused, though. I assumed you weren't interested in... you know... Since you've always shown interest only in Rose, I didn't think you were...

SCORPIUS: None of that matters. I just know that I like you and I want to be with you, and that's definite.

ALBUS: Good.

SCORPIUS: Good.

They laugh again, more at ease with each other.

What happens now, then? What are we supposed to do?

ALBUS: Well, I have no idea. But I think we could start this weekend with that trip to Hogsmeade you wanted to take with me.

SCORPIUS: Nice thinking. I thought you hated Hogsmeade, though.

ALBUS (winks): People can change. Come on.

Their fingers interlace and they exit.

ACT FIVE SCENE NINE

HARRY AND GINNY POTTER'S HOUSE, ALBUS'S ROOM

A couple of months have passed since the previous scene, and ALBUS is back home to his parents for the Christmas holidays.

ALBUS is sitting on his bed. HARRY enters and sits down beside him.

HARRY: So. What is it you wanted to tell me that couldn't be discussed over dinner?

ALBUS: I've searched for the best words to tell you, Dad, but it's not easy.

HARRY: Are you all right? Did something happen at school? Are other kids teasing you again?

ALBUS: No, it has nothing to do with that. I'm fine. I'm very good, actually.

HARRY (trying to read his son's face): What are you so afraid of, then?

ALBUS (inhales deeply): It has to do with Scorpius. (Exhales.) You didn't use to like him very much in the past and I'm scared you might start disliking him again in the future after what I'm about to say.

HARRY (laughing nervously): I hope the two of you didn't meddle with time again.

ALBUS (picking his fingers): Not at all. It's good news, really – well, it's good for me.

HARRY (deciding to relax and keep an open mind): Just be honest. You can tell me anything.

ALBUS: That's nice to hear, you know, because I've been thinking about this a lot, and it's an important part of my life, so it feels right to let you know. I'd like to share it with you – an mum too – so that you two can be part of it as well – and we can all—

HARRY: Albus.

ALBUS (getting it off his chest): The thing is – me and Scorpius – we are... together.

HARRY: How do you mean – I already know the two of you spend all your time together.

ALBUS: I mean together... together.

HARRY: As in—

ALBUS: In a relationship.

HARRY (stiffening): I thought he was your friend.

ALBUS: He is – he's my best friend. And now he's my boyfriend too.

HARRY: But it can't be – are you sure about this? Maybe you're just confusing the affection you feel for him as a friend with a different kind of feelings. Maybe it's just a temporary thing – have you considered that?

ALBUS (darkening): I'm sure.

HARRY (in denial): You're still so young, Albus, how could you know what you really feel? Maybe you're just confused. Maybe it's a phase. Did Scorpius pushed you into this thing – did he force you do to anything you're not sure about?

ALBUS starts to get offended, but tries to remain calm.

ALBUS (dry): You and mum started dating when you were about my age and you've been together for over twenty years. Mum has been in love with you since she was only ten. So don't tell me I'm too young or I don't know, because I do.

A long, dense pause follows. The air in the room gets more and more charged as the battle for acceptance rages inside HARRY's brain. Then he finally comes to terms with it.

HARRY: You're right. Sorry. I'm not making any sense. But I'm just worried about you.

ALBUS: You don't need to.

HARRY: Don't think I can help it. It's sort of my job as a parent. (An uncertain smile appears on his face.) The point is, Albus, that you keep finding new ways to challenge me – and that's good, that's great. It's exactly what a son should do to his father, not allow him to settle – and you are a great son. I'll just have to raise my game to keep up with you – because I'm not losing you again, no way. All I ask of you is – just be patient with me when I'm a bit slow, if you can. Okay?

ALBUS is deeply moved by his father's words. He swallows the lump in his throat and with it the anxiety he's piled up inside his chest.

ALBUS (with a broken voice): Okay.

HARRY slides his arm around ALBUS's shoulders and they sort of half hug. It's awkward but it feels nice and liberating. It feels like they're finally starting to bond.

HARRY: And Albus?

ALBUS: Yes, Dad?

HARRY: Thank you for telling me. You're the bravest boy I've ever known.

ACT FIVE SCENE TEN

HARRY AND GINNY POTTER'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM

A few days have passed, and it's suddenly Christmas Day. Someone knocks on the front door. GINNY enters and opens the door. A rush of snow hits her in the face. She invites DRACO and SCORPIUS inside.

GINNY: Quick, get in – it's freezing out there.

DRACO: Merry Christmas, Ginny.

SCORPIUS: Merry Christmas.

GINNY (with a smile that could melt the snow): And you. I hope you're hungry because Harry has been cooking all day.

ALBUS enters and runs to the door.

ALBUS: Scorpius, you're finally here!

He hugs SCORPIUS over enthusiastically.

SCORPIUS (grinning mischievously): What, have you been missing me?

ALBUS (sticking out his tongue): Don't start getting any ideas now.

They dislocate, but can't stop holding hands.

Come on, I want to show you your Christmas present!

SCORPIS: Is it a book? Is it sweets? Is it both?

ALBUS drags him outside the living room and they exit. In the same moment, HARRY enters wearing an apron and holding a plate with roast turkey.

HARRY: Hi Draco, Merry Christmas.

DRACO (ironically): Nice apron, Potter. It suits you.

GINNY: Don't start, you two. It's Christmas.

She takes the plate from HARRY and brings it to the dinner table at the back of the room. HARRY approaches DRACO while they are alone and starts whispering cautiously so no-one else hears them.

HARRY: I gather Scorpius has spoke to you about Albus and him.

DRACO: And?

HARRY: Are you okay with their relationship? It doesn't bother you, does it?

DRACO (frowning): Of course it doesn't. I mean, I'm not too crazy about seeing you and your scarred face more often, but I'll cope. All in all, your family is quite respectable and your connections could open up great opportunities for my son to pursue a career at the Ministry, if he wanted to. Also Albus's blood status is acceptable – your wife comes from one of the most ancient pure-blood families – and at least he's a Slytherin. It could have been worse.

HARRY: It doesn't bother you that they're both... boys?

DRACO: Oh, you meant that. (He covers his forehead with his hand.) Sometimes I forget that you were raised by Muggles who must have instilled all their Muggle prejudices and quaint little categories into you. (He shakes his head.) Of course it doesn't bother me. I'm happy with whoever makes my son happy.

HARRY (nods): Good. It seems we've got something in common after all.

GINNY (shouting from the back of the room): Come on, the turkey is getting cold. Let's have a proper sit down. James? Lily? Where are you?

JAMES and LILY come rushing from upstairs and jump towards the table, starting to fight about who is going to sit nearer the turkey. GINNY tries to divide them.

ALBUS and SCORPIUS reenter and approach the diner table too.

SCORPIUS: A book about sweets! The gift was a book about sweets! How genius is that!

HARRY and DRACO move to the table and take seats on opposite sides. ALBUS and SCORPIUS sit next to them.

All seven of them finally take seats and start eating the Christmas dinner, chatting, quarreling and laughing like a proper big family.

ALBUS (passing Brussels sprouts to his dad): I think this Christmas is going to be the best Christmas ever.

HARRY (smiles): So do I.

THE END

Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who's read this story. I'm immensely grateful to each and every one of you who never stopped supporting and defending this fic. You're all too kind and I'll never thank you enough for all the nice reviews and messages. I hope that you liked the conclusion of the story and that it didn't disappoint you. Wish you all the best x