Albus/Scorpius: As Long As I've Got You By My Side

Exchanging Offspring

The ride back to King's Cross station on the Hogwarts Express was more than enjoyable. Naturally, Albus and Scorpius sat in the same compartment, occasionally visited by Rose. All throughout the journey, the two boys talked about their plans for the summer. Scorpius was very excited to visit his best friend's house, although he was a little bit worried that Albus's family wouldn't be too fond of him.

"Are you sure your family won't...er...totallyhatemygutsbecauseI'maMalfoy?", Scorpius said the last part very fast, fear evident in his voice nonetheless.

"Oh, Scorpie, don't be ridiculous!", Albus laughed. "My parents haven't had any sort of conflict with yours in years! I'm sure they'll love you, just like I do"

Then, very seriously, he added, "Well, not quite as much as I do"

Scorpius beamed and hugged his friend.

"And as for James and Lily", Albus continued, "James's already met you, and I think he likes you well enough...and I'll bet Lily will be absolutely thrilled to have another person to interrogate about life at Hogwarts".

"Alright, point taken", giggled Scorpius. "I suppose my surname won't matter in your house any more than yours does in mine"

"Exactly", said Albus with a smile.

He leaned his head on Scorpius's shoulder, looking for the first time at the pile of Chocolate Frogs on his friend's lap.

His hand inched towards the one on top of the pile as he looked up beseechingly at Scorpius.

"Oh, just take it", Scorpius laughed.

=(-)=

When they reached King's Cross station, Albus ran to hug his parents and Lily, asking if Scorpius could visit them over the summer. Ginny smiled down at her son, assuring him that any friend of his would be welcome in the Potter household.

"Even a Malfoy?", said Uncle Ron from behind his sister.

"Ronald Weasley!", Aunt Hermione reprimanded her husband. "The Malfoys are perfectly decent people. Particularly their son, as I've heard from Rose. I'm sure Albus agrees with her on the whole".

She smiled at her nephew and winked, which gave the impression that she knew something that the others didn't.

Albus gave a hesitant smile in return before he turned around, hoping to find Scorpius so he could talk to him one more time before leaving for home.

His search did not take very long, for Scorpius and his family were standing only a few meters away from the Potter-Weasleys.

"I thought you might've left before I could say goodbye!", he said, attacking his friend with a massive hug.

"You know I'd never do that", laughed Scorpius. "And guess what? My mum and dad say it's okay for you to come and visit me over the summer holidays!"

"Did they say you could come to my house too?", asked Albus eagerly, pulling back so that he could look into Scorpius's face.

"As long as it's okay with your parents", replied Scorpius.

"It is, I just asked them ",  said Albus. "We'll have to owl you to figure out a good time for you to come over".

"Yeah, I suppose we can leave the technicalities to them-"

"Albus, sweetheart, it's time to go home", Ginny called.

The "sweetheart" in question grimaced at his friend, who smirked and gave him one last fleeting hug.

"I'll see you later, Al", he said. "Make sure your parents contact mine".