Another year passed. Albus and Draco continued seeing each other in secret, but Draco finally gave up on telling Albus to try and find someone younger. It was the last time they would see each other in Hogsmead. Draco sat waiting on the bed in the Black Unicorn. In three days Albus and Scorpius would both graduate. Draco both looked forward to it and feared it. He didn't know what would happen with him and Al once he had left Hogwarts. Al hadn't told him what he wanted to do once he graduated. It was of very few things Al hadn't told him and Draco feared Al had taken an apprenticeship abroad or something like that and didn't want him to talk him out of it. On the other hand maybe that would be for the best. The door opened and Al stepped inside hung up his cloak and placed a small vial on the only small table in the room.
"What's that?" Draco asked.
"A potion."
"I can see that, but what does it do?"
Al crossed the room and gave him a kiss hello. "I will tell you soon." Albus pulled up a chair and sat down across from Draco. Something he never did unless he wanted to talk about something serious. So he was going to leave him.
"You love me right." Albus asked.
"You know I do." Albus nodded.
"And I love you I don't want to not live with you."
Draco's heart picked up speed. Al wasn't leaving him? To his astonishment Al got up from the chair and knelt before him. His stomach turned into a tight knot.
"Draco Malfoy , I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?"
"Al," Albus must have read his expression, because he cut him off.
"If you are going to say you are too old for me again then save it. I have already heard that speech too many times. I know you are twenty- six years older than me, but I want to spend my life with you. Not someone younger. Can you understand that or do I have to pound it into that thick skull of yours. I love you Drake, I want you, no one else."
Draco had tears in his eyes when he looked down at his young lover. "I understand." He said.
"Good then shall we try this again." This time Al picked out a small jewelry box that held two silver rings. Draco smiled when realized Al had known he'd turn him down the first time he asked. "Drake, I love you so much it hurts when I can't be with you, and I hate not being able to show you off to the world. Would you do me the honor of becoming my husband and make me happier than I've ever been?"
"Yes." How could he turn down that proposal? He too wanted to show the world he had been lucky enough to catch the most gorgeous man alive, but would the world be understanding? Al placed the simple silver band on his left ring finger. It had four runes on it, placed across from each other on the ring. Draco recognized them as love, protection, future and birth. Why birth and not hope or something else like that he didn't know. He also knew it wasn't a mistake made by Al. He'd studied runes and liked the subject. He was even good at it.
"Why birth?" He asked. Al walked over to the potion in the table and brought it back to Draco.
"Try not to freak alright."
"What is that?" He looked at the potion. Potions happened to be Albus's favorite subject just as it had been Draco's when he went to school.
"It's a male paternity potion."
"Male pregnancy?" Draco stared at the little vile with its soft yellow liquid. "You made a male pregnancy potion?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Well why was obvious, but why?
"I want to carry your child and besides, if I'm pregnant and we are engaged no one can say we can't be together. We would have the law on our side."
"You want – my child." Draco felt like he didn't know what was up and down anymore. Half an hour ago he'd been sure Al would leave him. Now he was engaged to be married and the boy – man he was engaged to wanted to carry his child.
"Yes Drake, I do. Not just because of the legal part but because I want to. I want a family with you. It's soon I know and that is partly because of the legal part, but I want this."
"And you want to be the one to…"
"Carry the child? Yes, like you so frequently like to point out you're not as young as you once were. Male pregnancies are riskier than female. It would be safer both for the baby and for us if I do it."
Draco sat and stared between his fiancé and the vial back and forth and tried to collect his thoughts enough to think. The thought of having a real family with Al was amazing. In general wizards lived to over a hundred years of age. He could have sixty to seventy years with him and their child, maybe even children. That was what most muggles could hope for if they got married early. He could have a family with Al. Al wanted to have a family with him. He had planned this for a long time, male pregnancy potions took months to brew. He realized why Al hadn't told him what he was planning on doing after his graduation. This was what he had been planning on doing after his graduation.
"You really want this?"
"Yes Drake I really, really want this."
"Ok." He was suddenly held in a bone crushing hug. Al let go and opened the vile and drank down the contents.
"Make love to me." He said and kissed Draco.
He hadn't felt do apprehensive about making love to Al since that first time. God he had been nervous then. He was almost as nervous now. At least this time he didn't have to worry about hurting Al, he was just worried for no real reason at all. They slowly undressed each other and lay down on the bed. The past two and a half year had been good on Al. He had grow and become taller and broader. He would never be as tall as Draco but he was only a few inches off now. Draco pushed into the velvet heat of his lover.
"You are so perfect Al. Always so tight." Al moaned low at the back of his throat in response. They made love longer and slower then they usually did. More like that very first time. Draco came deep inside Al with a loud moan and Al followed not far behind.
"Did it work?" Draco asked and stoked the black haired head lying on his chest.
"We'll know it two days for certain, but it should have worked."
"We're going to become fathers. You are going to become a father."
"I can't wait."
Drake,
It worked, the potion worked. We're going to become parents. I don't know the gender I wanted you to be there when I find out what we're having. From what I can tell the baby seems healthy but I'm going to go to Madame Pomfrey as soon as I send you this letter so that I can fully relax. I'll see you tomorrow and good luck to the both of us.
Love us always.
Al,
The entrance hall was bustling with people. Students were running here and there, talking with each other, wishing good luck and saying good bye. Friends and families where congratulating the students on their graduation.
"Champagne, Al?" James asked and held out a glass to his brother.
"No thank you."
"No thank you? It's your graduation Al, aren't you supposed to get drunk?"
"That's a common misconception." Al could feel Draco's eyes on him before he even saw the other man. He turned around and saw him standing next to Scorpius. He was talking to some of the other Slytherins, but his eyes were on Al.
"But it's just a glass of champagne." James persisted.
"No, thank you." Al stared at his brother stubbornly and he finally relented.
"Fine, be like that. I'm gonna go and find Teddy."
"You do that." Al let out a sigh of relief when James left. Only several hours left to spend with his family.
"Enjoying yourself Mr. Potter?" Al felt shudders of pleasure run up and down his body when he heard Draco behind him.
"It's not too bad, how about you Mr. Malfoy."
"My son's fifth birthday was more entertaining." Draco said with disdain and looked around the "party".
Al had to restrain himself to not start laughing. Draco was twisting his glass between his hands a sure sign he was nervous. Al had learned to pick up most of Draco's little quirks over the years.
"Is your drink any good?" Al asked drawing the man's attention to his hands. Draco stopped the twisting and looked at Al with an almost smile.
"No."
Al couldn't hold back a snicker any longer.
"Having fun?"His father asked and joined Al. "Malfoy." He added with an inclination of his head.
"Potter."
"So Al, are you enjoying you graduation? Harry asked.
"So far, so good." Al answered.
"Yes these things can get a bit too long for my taste as well. They must be right down your alley though, Malfoy."
"Like I just told your son I found my own son's fifth birthday celebration more entertaining than this."
"I agree." Harry said and lifted his glass at Draco and drank to that. "Why aren't you drinking anything Al?" Harry asked and looked at Al's empty hands.
"I don't feel like alcohol and the pumpkin juice table was smothered with kids, but I think I'll survive."
"I think I have to go now." Draco said hurriedly. Al turned around to see what Draco was watching and saw his family coming towards him, Uncle Ron in the lead.
"Goodbye Albus, Harry." Draco nodded at then and disappeared into the crowd.
"Did he just call us our first names?" Harry asked his son who nodded. "I didn't even know he knew what your first name was."
Al stayed quiet and wished the day would just end.
Al was pacing the hallway in his parents' home in Godric's hollow. He had to tell his parents he was leaving, that he was engaged. That he was pregnant. He also had to tell them he was gay. He hadn't quite gotten around to that yet. His siblings and cousins had suspected he was seeing someone since he'd stopped being with them during Hogsmead weekends, but luckily they hadn't pestered him too about it. Mainly because they knew he wouldn't talk if he didn't what to. So he was pacing the corridor trying to build up the courage to tell his family he was marrying Draco Malfoy. He could already hear them screaming in his head.
"Al?" Al stopped his pacing and watched his father. "Why are you wearing down the floor in the hallway?"
Take the bull by the horns, right. He took a deep breath and gathered all his Gryffindor courage. "Could I have a word with you?"
"Now? Or do you want to wait until that lovely family of ours has left?"
"I think now is better."
Harry looked at his son carefully. Trying to figure out what was going on. "We better talk in here then." He opened the door to his study and stepped inside with Al following close behind. Harry stood and leaned against his desk watching as Al again started his pacing.
"Al, what's wrong."
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong exactly, but I have something I have to tell you."
"Then tell be before we fall through the floor."
"It's not funny dad." Al took a deep breath and removed the concealing charm from his ring. He held it out for his father to see. "I'm engaged."
"You…what? I didn't even know you were seeing anyone." At least he wasn't angry yet.
"We've been keeping it a secret." Harry walked down the desk and sat down in the large comfortable chair standing there. Al thought that might be a good idea, and he did now have the desk between himself and his possibly soon very angry father.
"How long? And who is it? Is she someone I know?"
"We've been together since the beginning of fifth year, and yes you know – him." He waited and watched as his words sank in.
"You – him?" Harry seemed more shocked, or more like surprised actually, than angry, Al was for now going to take that as a good sign.
"Yes, it's a man, and I love him very much and he loves me." Better make that part clear before going any further.
"You said I knew him. Is it someone in your year?"
"No, he's older than me, and before you freak out. You have to know that neither of us planned for this to happen. He didn't take advantage of me or anything."
"Al you are aware that you're scarring me right?"
"Dad, I'm marrying Draco Malfoy." The silence that followed was deafening.
"WHAT!" Harry stood up behind his desk staring at his son. This had to be some kind of joke. Unfortunately Al looked very serious and a bit scarred.
"You – you, but he's twenty-six years older than you."Harry tried to keep his voice steady, but it was taking all his concentration not to yell at Al.
"I know dad."
"Not to mention he's hardly the nicest person out there."
"I don't agree with you."
"You've been seeing him since you were fifteen?" Please don't tell me my son lost his virginity to Draco Malfoy of all people.
"Yes."
"Wasn't he still married in your fifth year? And not to mention – you were fifteen. How could a grown man condone getting involved with a boy his own son's age?" Harry had sat back down in his chair. He knew he had to listen had to let Al explain. He had the Weasleys downstairs wouldn't be very understanding and his son needed someone to hear him out. Someone who at least tried to understand.
"He was married, and about the fact that I was fifteen. He tried to not do anything. To just let it be, but just like me he had never felt such a strong pull towards anyone else before. He kept telling me for over a year that I should not let him stand in the way of me finding someone my own age. He stopped sating anything after Astoria died, but I knew he wouldn't hold it against me if I did leave him. Actually I'm fairly sure he expected me to break it up when I proposed."
"You proposed?"
"Yes, he turned me down at first. Gave his speech about age differences and all that, but in the end he gave in." Al smiled fondly at the memory. Harry had to admit he really looked in love and seemed to have this glow around him.
"I guess it's not so strange he knows your first name then." He said remembering the graduation party.
"No, though he usually calls me Al and not Albus, and there's one more thing you should know and maybe you should sit down." Al was fidgeting with the ring on his finger and looked worriedly at Harry. Harry sat down. He was getting too old for this.
"I'm pregnant." Harry's mouth moved silently. Albus hadn't touched a single drop of alcohol all day, and he had that glow around him. Harry knew he wasn't lying. From what he knew of male pregnancies he also knew it hadn't been an accident.
"How?" If Malfoy had tricked Albus into taking the potion and then had Albus propose to him because he was pregnant he would kill the man. It wasn't consistent with what Albus had told him so far, but his brain wasn't working to logically at the moment.
"I made the potion and convinced Drake to let me take it. There's a law that says if two people are engaged and expecting a child that binding is as that of a marriage. I didn't do this only because of that, but I didn't want anyone to try and slit us up." His seventeen, soon eighteen year old son was pregnant because he didn't want to risk not being allowed to live with Draco Malfoy.
"I wouldn't have split the two of you up if this is really what you want."
"It wasn't primarily you I was worried about."
Ron. And even Ginny would not be happy about this turn of events. Harry felt his insides grow cold when he thought about how the people downstairs would react. He could even remember one time before the kids were born. He, Ginny, Ron and Hermione had had dinner together and gotten to talk. Harry couldn't remember how but they had gotten into the subject of sexual orientation and homosexuality in particular. Ron had been pretty vocal in his opinions regarding that subject. He had been pretty drunk at the time, but suffice to say Harry hadn't felt the need to tell his friend about his experimentations with men. Hermione had tried to tell him there was nothing wrong with homosexuality, but with Ginny on his side and Harry not joining in the discussion she had soon fallen quiet, and in this specific case they were talking about Draco Malfoy. Ron would through a fit when he found out.
"I think you did the right thing." He hated to admit it but with the reactions he could expect Harry beloved he had acted wisely.
"Are you ok with this dad?" Al looked worried and Harry got up from the chair and walked around the table to stand in front of his son.
"Is this really what you want?"
"With all my heart."
"Then I'm ok with it. I'm even happy for you." He took Al into his arms and gave him a tight hug.
"But I think I will have to have a talk with your fiancé and… Oh my god," A thought ha just crossed his mind.
"What?" Al broke the hug and looked up at his father.
"Draco Malfoy will become my son in law." He said horrified and Al broke out laughing.
"I'll basically become Scorpius's step dad so I think you got the better deal." He said when he stopped laughing.
"This is just too messed up." Harry shook his head. "We should tell the others." Albus instantly sobered up.
"I should, but wanted to tell you first."
"I'm glad you did. I need to warn you before we go down though that Ron and even your mother is not too understanding when it comes to relationships between two men."
"I know dad. That's why I have never mentioned that I like guys. Actually only one guy, ever."
Harry nodded. He didn't like the thought of his son losing his virginity to his school rival, but he was happy and from what he had gathered Draco had never hurt him.
They descended the stairs together and walked into the sitting room. This was one of those times when he didn't like having such a big family. The room was filled to the breaking point and the sound volume was enough to make it hard to think. No wonder no one had heard his yelled, what, earlier.
"GUYS!" He called loudly to get everybody's attention. The room fell silent as everybody turned to look at them. "Al has something he would like to tell you." He placed a hand of his youngest son's shoulder to show him he was there and supported him.
"Well, I, erm, I'm engaged." He stuttered.
The kids looked surprised but not as shocked as the adults. Harry guessed they knew Al had been seeing someone. You could only sneak away so often in Hogwarts before someone noticed.
"You're engaged?" Ginny asked.
"Yes mom. I got engaged three days ago."
"Why haven't you told us you were seeing someone?" Gorge asked. "We would have teased you mercilessly."
"Yeah, who is she?" Ron asked.
"That's the thing, it's not a she. It's a he."
"WHAT!" This time the exclamation came earlier and at a place Harry didn't like, especially not since he knew what was to come.
"Ron, calm down." He said in a strained voice.
"Calm down! Why would I calm down!" He yelled while Ginny looked close to tears, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley shocked beyond words and other seemed to wait for the other shoe to drop before deciding how to react.
"Why does it matter whether it's man or a woman?" Al asked looking beseechingly at his mother. Trying to ignore the death glares his Uncle was giving him.
"It's not natural. I'm sorry Al, but I can't condone this. I won't allow it." Ginny said and shook her head.
"There's nothing you can do mother, I made sure of that." Al's voice was tight when he spoke he was trying not to show how much her word hurt him.
"What do you mean?" Rose asked.
"I'm pregnant." His mother had tears running down her face now. He glanced at Aunt Hermione and knew she knew why he'd done it.
"Oh dear god." It was Molly who had spoken her voice barely more than a whisper. "You're just a child Albus. Why would you give up you life like that? And for another man."
"I love him grandma."
"But, he's a man." Uncle Ron said, disgust evident in his voice
"Trust me I noticed that." James and Hugo snickered at that.
"I know he's older," Rose said. "You haven't spent a Hogsmead day with us since fifth year and you weren't seeing anyone in school."
"There was that one time when you did accompany us in Hogsmead." Hugo pointed out. "I thought you were trying to kill your butterbear."
Al blushed and remembered the day. It had been during his sixth year and Draco hadn't had any choice but to go away in business that weekend. He couldn't get out of. It had been the worst Hogsmead weekend Al had had and he had been pissed off at Draco for about two weeks though it wasn't really his fault.
"Yeah tell us who he is." Luis said from where he sat next to his mother. Luis was the youngest of Bill and Fleur's three children.
"Draco Malfoy." He couldn't have gotten a more extreme reaction if he had said he was marrying the Dark Lord, had he still been alive. Hi mother started crying in earnest, he shoulder shaking. His grandfather sat down the chair that stood behind him with a loud thump. His brother, sister and cousins didn't seem quite sure as to how they should react. The same when for his Uncles and Aunts bar Ron and Hermione. Hermione looked over Al's shoulder at his father with an expression that begged for an explanation. Uncle Ron was the one's reaction he had feared the most from having to tell his family about Draco. Why people claimed Draco and his father had been the ones who hated each other the most had it wrong. His father's feelings towards Draco were pink and fluffy in comparison to Ron's. Al instinctively took a step back when Ron flew up from the sofa where he'd been sitting.
"Are you completely out of your mind?! He's a Death Eater!" He bellowed and charged at Al like he would strike him.
"RON!" His father said and took a step forward. "You bend one hair on my son's head and so help me, I'll kill you." Al had never heard his father speak with such hatred and anger. For the first time he could really see how he could have killed the Dark Lord and gotten away with his life. "And in regard to Malfoy's involvement with the dark side. The war was more than twenty-five years ago."
"You're defending him? You're defending thins – sick and disgusting behavior?" Uncle Ron was visibly shaking but he had stopped where he was when his father had yelled.
"Let's put it in word that you'll understand Ron. Albus is not the only male in this family that has slept with men and enjoyed it." Ron looked green at his long time friend's confession.
"This is your fault." Ginny sobbed. "You contaminated him."
"Contaminated?" To Al's surprise it was Aunt Hermione who spoke. "Homosexuality or bisexuality are not deceases Ginny. It's not even genetic." She both looked and sounded shocked. "I knew you didn't condone other sexual orientations then being straight as a board I never would imagine you would classify it as a decease. I may not like Draco Malfoy but Al being gay doesn't bother me in the least and if he's happy so am I."
"Thank you Aunt Hermione." Al said with a shaky smile.
"I've done it with both Simon and Mark." James suddenly said. Ginny and Molly both seemed like they were about to pass out.
"This may not have been the time to revile that." Charlie said and Al noticed he looked at Harry with a look that had Al wondering if his father's experimenting with men might involve his Uncle. He wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"Knock, knock." Al would have recognized that voice anywhere. He spun around and saw Draco standing in the doorway leading from the kitchen where the fireplace connected to the floo-network was located.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Ron yelled.
"Came to save the man I love from his insane Uncle it would seem." Ron growled and took a step closer to the man in the doorway.
"Get out of here."
"It's not your house Ron." Harry said. "You can't tell him what to do."
"But it is my house." Ginny spoke up. "And I want him out of here."
"I don't think it will be for much longer and Draco will be staying." New tears started falling down Ginny's face, but no one seemed to know what to do at Harry's more or less promise for divorce.
Al noticed the surprised look on Draco's face. "You're defending me?" Draco asked.
"Al loves you. I'm not saying I like you but if you make him happy I will accept you, but if you hurt him…" That was the second death threat Harry had given someone in one day.
"I get it. The Dark Lord will seem like a kitten in comparison."
"Yes."
"Right. You ok Al?" He walked over and placed his arms around Al. it was both scary and comforting to be held by Draco in front of his family. In front of any people at all.
"I am now." he leaned his head on Draco's shoulder and relaxed into the body he knew so well. He could practically hear the other's stares on him.
"I just can't believe he's marrying me into the Weasley family." A new voice said from the doorway. Al looked up and saw Scorpius scowling at them. The next second he had his arms filled with one happy Rose Weasley who apparently was very happy for her boyfriends surprise visit. At this point Ron couldn't yell any longer. His world was falling apart. The two oldest and the two youngest of the original Weasley family all looked like they didn't know what was up and down in their little perfect world anymore. There they were Draco Malfoy and Albus Potter hugging each other closely as was Scorpius Malfoy and Rose Weasley. Harry, James and Charlie were most likely not as straight as previously believed. Bill, Fleur, George and Angelina didn't seem too bothered and Gorge was looking amused between Charlie and Harry with a look that might suggest he was up to something no one wanted any part of. Victorie and Teddy had left with their newborn baby girl, Stella before the whole thing had started so they had been spared. Dominique, Luis, Lily and Hugo, Fred and Roxanne didn't seem like they were sure whether they should look happy for their brother/sister/cousin or if they should look horrified.
"Congrats bro." Lily suddenly said and broke out into a bright smile. "I'm going to be an Aunt." She exclaimed before hugging both Al and Draco at the same time. Draco looked slightly horrified at being attacked by an over affectionate fifteen year old girl. After all she was sort of a Weasley, but so was Al, but the girl hugging him had red hair and actually looked like a Weasley. She paused for a moment before glancing over to where Scorpius and Rose stood. "Does this mean Scorpius's my step nephew?"
"What?" The young man in question asked.
"I mean if my brother marries your father doesn't that like make him your step dad?"
Scorpius looked at his father with big eyes. "I'll have a stepdad that's younger than me?"
"Since you're of age, no." He had checked on the legalities around children from old marriages. In cases of death on one parent custody would go to a potential new spouse automatically, but since Scorpius was of age that was not something they had to think about.
"Oh, thank Merlin." He leaned against his girlfriend and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Do you wanna go home now Al?" Draco asked. He felt that his pregnant fiancé had had quite enough excitement for one day.
"Yeah, let's go home." Al smiled at him gratefully.
"Draco?" Harry asked.
"Yes Harry?" He was surprised at the use of his first name in such a polite voice but like he had said earlier. If he made Al happy he would accept him. Maybe they could become friend it the future. Harry was after all the grandfather of his unborn child.
"You're good with money a stuff right?"
"Yeah, sure. Why?" Draco was surprised at the question.
"I think I'm gonna need help with a divorce in the near future. Would you be willing to help me out?"
"I'll do my best. I only have experience when it comes to death of spouse but…" He noticed how everybody was looking at him. "Oh, for the love of… No, I did not kill my wife. I did not set up the accident or even knew she was going to muggle London at the time of the accident. I did however warn her about the dangers of muggle, but on one ever listens to me. And see what happens, death by buss."
James broke first and started laughing so hard he was lying on the floor with tears rolling down his face. Most of the others followed. The exceptions being Mr. Weasley – all of them and Ron, and Draco who looked annoyed.
"That's your ex-wife you're talking about." Mrs. Weasley said disapprovingly.
"I'm not the one laughing."
"Mrs. Weasley," Scorpius began. "You have to understand that dad always warned mom about the dangers of muggle London when she wanted to go there shopping. I miss my mother and I don't think the fact that she is dead is fun, but if you have to go. Do it in a way that can amuse the ones you leave behind."
"I'd drink to that if I had something to drink." Gorge said.
Draco turned to Harry again. "Would you like to stay at the manor until the divorce is settled? We certainly have enough rooms. Or maybe you'd prefer the château in France."
"It's beautiful there." Al supplied.
"You've been to France?" His father asked surprised.
"Erm, yes."
"Or the villa in Italy?" Draco continued.
"Never been there. I thought you said you only went there if you wanted to see Blaise Zabini naked?" Al said and ignored his father who looked at them weirdly.
"Or that weird palace like place in India mother bought?"
"The manor will be just fine." Harry cut him off before he could go any further in his rambling of properties the Malfoy family owned.
"Fine, you should pack a bag then."
Harry nodded and left the room.
"That's our key to leave I believe." Bill said and stood up.
"Yes ours too." Angelina who'd been quiet the whole time said.
"I should probably leave too." Charlie got up from his arm chair.
"I want to go to the manor too." Lily said.
"If she's going, I'm going."James said.
"Well we do have the room." He said with a sigh. He had wanted to marry Al. It seemed like he would get most of the family. If that's what it took for him to have the man standing next to him, he could easily deal with a few – ok, many - Weasleys. Most of them didn't seem too bad anyway and Scorpius and definitely taken a liking to one of them. He watched his son talk to the brown haired girl and smiled. They actually looked good together.
"What are you thinking about?"Al asked him stepping close so their faces were mere inches apart.
"Family."
"Which one?"
"Is there any difference anymore?"
Al laughed and gave him a small kiss. "I guess not. Welcome to the family."
Draco groaned but smiled at the same time. Like this everything was perfect. Just him and Al.
"Are you two lovebirds ready to go now?" James asked.
Maybe it wasn't perfect but it was close enough.