A/N: Last chapter – an epilogue of sorts, but doesn't really go into detail. Just our two boys reunion.

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Exchange Student -Epilogue

Al was a twenty year old assistant quidditch coach for a major league team, he has a great house with a wonderful garden, a car and a top of the range broom. You would think he had it all – he wasn't one to complain he knew he was a very fortunate person. Fortunate as he only gained average grades in his NEWTs and he stumbled through various jobs before landing his current job a couple of years ago. His parents helped him buy a house and he was paying them back monthly – like a mortgage of sorts.

He had many friends, he was surrounded by family, he had a decent job and home – yet he felt like he was missing something; or someone.

After Scorpius left five years ago Al was optimistic – he was determined to write to Scorpius regularly and to maybe meet over holidays. Then Finally after the two years until they graduated passed they would be reunited. It was a great plan – it was a naive young boys plan who thought his two week involvement with Scorpius would amount to something.

James and Lily would sing a part of 'summer lovin' from the musical Greece – tweaked of course in an attempt to wind him up.

"Summer loving had me a blast, oh yeah
Summer loving happened so fast,
I met a boy crazy for me,
Met a boy cute as can be,"

Keeping in touch started off well, they wrote one another regularly. However after a few months the frequency of them slowed. It was a difficult time in Al's life, his parents announced they were divorcing and his family were shaken by the sudden ill health of his granddad. Not to mention Al coming out and having to deal with family, friends and students reactions.

Al had written to Scorpius about his home life and they corresponded for some time, but eventually the letters became less and less until they just stopped and neither boy picked up the pen-pal exchange again. Al had a lot going on and he also had NEWTs to worry about – unfortunately Scorpius got pushed to the back of his mind. He was always their just not a priority – his family were.

After a long time Al decided it would be absurd to suddenly start corresponding again out of the blue – just because they had kissed a few times when they were fifteen. For all he knew Scorpius was in a proper relationship, with someone he could actually touch and not just exchange trivial letters with. Al missed Scorpius, and would often think back to his two weeks with him. He knew it was irrational to pin all your hopes of finding that special someone on the first guy he had a crush on, and who he had only spent two weeks with. A little voice in the back of his mind always said, 'It's not irrational. You know what you felt,' and there was the problem. Al knew how much of an impact Scorpius had on him and he knew that he would love for Scorpius to have moved to England like he said he would. But life doesn't work like that, Scorpius never moved back as far as Al was aware, and in his darker moments Al wondered, 'What if Scorpius never felt what I felt for him.'

So Al tried his best to get on with life, school, and then becoming an adult getting a job and moving out of his family home. He had dated and had a few happy relationships – but Al couldn't help comparing his partner of the time to Scorpius, or wondering what it would be like to be a couple with him.

James had told him to stop being ridiculous a few years ago when he voiced his worries. Telling Al that he couldn't remain a virgin forever just in case someone you had a two week holiday fling with decided they would come back. He gave Al a wake up call, telling him that if he waited he could wait a long time and may never see Scorpius again and he was ruining his chance of finding happiness for what?

That was Al's life, he was fairly happy and very fortunate – but he would always wonder what Scorpius was doing, where he was and most of all what if?

Al was in the coaches office drawing up a schedule for the private lessons they offered under tens when a knock came at his door. He didn't bother looking up, calling, "Yep."

The door opened and one of the reserve chasers entered. He smiled at Al as he approached the desk, "Hey." he greeted.

Al gave him a polite smile in return, "Hi Sam what can I do for you?" He inquired.

Sam frowned at the business like tone, "Nothing work related. I have a spare hour want to do something?" He asked suggestively.

Al had an on again, off again fuck buddy relationship with Sam, and he would always regret going back to him – but it was convenient. Al had been honest with Sam, had told him he wasn't looking for a relationship and that he didn't really want one with Sam even if he was looking for a relationship. Sam had said he was fine with that, that he was happy to be used. Al hadn't questioned it but now he wished he never went there – Sam was clingy.

"Can't" He replied as he continued to write.

Sam had moved around the desk and behind Al's chair, he placed his hands on Al's shoulders and started massaging them.

Al rolled his shoulders to try and dislodge Sam's hands and to hint that he didn't want a bloody massage.

"What's up with you? You're stressy today." Sam noted as he stroked Al's hair at the nape of his neck.

Al jerked his upper body out of Sam's reach, "Must you." He snapped.

Sam looked hurt for a spilt second and Al was hit with a wave of guilt, "Sorry. I'm just busy okay." He offered as an explanation.

Sam perched on the edge of Al's desk and looked at him in sympathy. This was another thing that annoyed him about Sam. Sam had decided to be the person who fussed over him and thought it was his job to make sure Al was looking after himself – Sam wasn't his grandma Molly and he wasn't his boyfriend either.

"Don't give me that look. Yes I slept well. Yes I have eaten lunch. No I have no family troubles or other issues. I am just busy." He grumbled.

He hated himself for being such an asshole to Sam and knew he was just taking out his frustrations on him. But he had been honest with Sam from the start and Sam really should just move the fuck on. The little voice in his mind helpfully piped up, 'Like you have moved on from Scorpius' Al ignored it.

Sam walked away from Al towards the door, saying as he left, "I see you're in one of those moods today. I'm sure you will call me in a day or two when you want sex."

Al huffed, "No I won't."

Sam stopped and turned to face Al, "Yes you will – you always do." With that he winked at Al and left closing the door behind him.

Al frowned, was he that predictable? Having mediocre sex with a guy that he wasn't attracted to personality wise and had no intention of forming a relationship with, it wasn't where Al had thought he'd be when he was twenty.

Later that evening he was at his dad's house with James and Lily. They tried to gather as a family and eat together as much as their individual schedules allowed. His mum was currently holidaying in Crete with her long term boyfriend.

James nudged Al as he was about to take a mouthful of food, causing him to drop his fork load in his lap. He glared at James, "When are you going to grow up?" he questioned irritated.

James chuckled, "Never. You can't make me either. Why are you so grumpy anyway?"

Al shrugged, he had no idea he was just in a funk. "Dunno." Was all he deemed as a sufficient answer.

Harry could sense when Al wanted to be left alone, he distracted James making conversation. Al sent his dad a smile in thanks.

Lily soon monopolised the conversation with talk of her new job and Al could pretend he was listening easily enough as he thought about his pitiful love life. Al could admit to himself that yes Sam was right he did fancy a good shag – but Al was determined to not go to Sam. That ship had sailed!

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the tail end of his sisters sentence.

"...That's exactly what Draco said." She noted.

Al frowned there really weren't that many Draco's. Any time he heard or read the word Malfoy he would become attentive.

Harry smiled, "I'm pleased for you sweetie. You'll learn a lot from Draco."

Confused more than ever Al interrupted, "What?"

Lily turned to face Al and rolled her eyes, "You never listen. I swear you're in your own world most the time. My new job – working at the new apothecary in Diagon Alley." She spoke to Al like he was a five year old.

Al sighed, "New apothecary?"

Harry, James and Lily grinned – Al really had been out of sorts the last month.

James removed Al's glasses and wiped them on his t-shirt, placing them back on his face, "There you might be able to see what is in front of you now. Or you may need to get your eyes re-tested you could be due a new lens prescription."

Al punched him in the thigh as James had purposely put finger prints all over his lenses.

"I haven't had the time lately to do anything like shopping. Just because you're a loser and a layabout with no job doesn't mean we all have time to stalk out Diagon Alley." He argued back.

James smiled, "I have a job. It's called being a kept man."

Lily laughed, "You have no moral compass."

"Nope. Besides Zara said she'd rather I stay at home and look after Seb and not some stuck up nanny." He replied. Adding, "Anyway wait until I tell gran and mum you said staying at home with your kid is being a loser." He announced smugly.

Al's eyes widen, "You wouldn't. You know I don't mean it like that."

Harry stopped the bickering by filling Al in, "Lily has a job at the new apothecary that is one of a chain of apothecaries that Draco Malfoy owns. He has met with Lily to help get her settled in the new shop."

Al really should pay better attention, "Oh. So if he owns a chain of apothecaries, does that mean he hasn't returned to England?"

Lily shrugged, "Not something I'd ask my boss when I've just started."

Al pouted and Lily laughed, "Although from what I gather he still resides in France but is away most the time visiting all of his shops."

oooooooooooo

That evening and for the following fortnight Al kept thinking of Scorpius. If Scorpius' dad had returned; sort of. Then why hadn't Scorpius? Maybe he has returned and isn't interested in Al. Or maybe he got a job and boyfriend in France. Many silly notions swam around his head. He tried to subtly question Lily to wheedle information about Mr Malfoy and Scorpius, however she had no answers saying she hadn't seen Mr Malfoy since her first day.

Al was an idiot – what was he hoping for. Just because Draco Malfoy occasionally visited one of many shops, didn't mean his son would. The possibility that Al would even see Draco let alone Scorpius were slim. Yet for the last two weeks he has been meeting Lily at the shop and taking her lunch, opting to eat it in the shops staff room. Just in case either Malfoy stopped by. Even if Mr Malfoy popped in Al wouldn't be disappointed, he could ask after Scorpius.

Eventually Al couldn't keep disrupting Lily at work, both he and Lily were fed up with him hanging around. Therefore it took him by complete surprise when one afternoon Al turned up at his dads unannounced and found his dad in the kitchen with Mr Malfoy.

He stood staring at them for far too long. "Al. Al...ALBUS." his dad called, he had obviously been talking to him.

Al blinked and looked at his dad, "Huh?"

Harry groaned, "I said seeing you here was unexpected."

Al looked apologetic, "Sorry. I took the afternoon off. I was going to offer to help you clear the garage – I have nothing better to do." he explained.

Harry arched an eyebrow, "Translates to – you were hungry. Lily has banned you from her work. You have no food at home and come to see if I would make you something." he teased.

Al grinned, "Exactly."

Harry tutted and offered to make them all lunch. Al looked over to Mr Malfoy, who hadn't really changed since he last saw him – although he looked more relaxed and content.

"Nice to see you again Mr Malfoy." he nonchalantly said. Although he was itching to ask about Scorpius. He would at least wait until they'd eaten before doing so.

Draco smiled at Al, he really had grown into a man since he last saw him. "Thank you. Good to see you too." he sincerely replied. A phone buzzed and Draco took it out read an e-mail and frowned.

He announced, "Harry no lunch for me something has come up."

He did sound genuinely put out about having to leave. Al noted his dad looked a bit disappointed at the news.

"No problem. Al will keep me company." he cheerfully answered, although he still looked crestfallen.

Draco kept Harry's gaze for a few intense seconds before apologising and leaving. Al really didn't want to analyse that tension.

Harry smirked, "Before you ask, no I have no information on Scorpius. The only information I have is that Draco and Astoria are divorced."

A few days later he saw Scorpius' classic car parked outside a restaurant. He couldn't believe it, it was definitely the same car from the photo he'd seen all those years ago. He felt euphoric. His heart rate accelerated and his hands were clammy. He was just about to do something rash like run into the restaurant shouting Scorpius' name, when Draco appeared opened the car and drove off – alone.

Al had gone from being jubilant and hopeful to sorrowful and he felt devastatingly low. Rationally he guessed it made sense that Scorpius' dad may borrow Scorpius' car – but it didn't help Al. He wished it wasn't this way – to automatically act like a fool. He wanted to be different to not be this obsessed over someone who he briefly knew years ago.

Al walked home he needed the fresh air to clear his head. His infatuation with Scorpius had had a knock on effect with any subsequent relationship he ever had. He would forever question his new relationships – asking if it would be as good as what he felt with Scorpius. He ruined any chance of happiness by obsessing over Scorpius. Scorpius has set an impossible unattainable standard that no future boyfriend could dream of reaching and Al knew it was unfair to his other boyfriends – but Al couldn't change how he felt.

His unfinished story with Scorpius held allure and he was dying to know how it would end. Maybe he should just go to France and immerse himself into Scorpius' life. No Al you sound like a weirdo – stalker obsessive. Al wondered not for the first time and certainly not for the last whether Scorpius was single – it hurt like hell to think of him with someone else.

Get a grip you were fifteen and it was two weeks! Al sternly told himself. At heart Al was a romanticist, a dreamer and delusional his mind added. Then the romanticist side of him added Sometimes dreams come true.

Al kicked an empty tin along the pavement.

"You really should pick that up and put it in the bin."

Al startled and then froze. It couldn't be.

"Do it for the hedgehogs."

Al turned and stared, "You're back." He blurted. He had fantasied about the moment they would meet again – funnily enough there was more kissing and no hedgehogs in his fantasies.

"Indeed." Scorpius said around a smile.

They were only a few paces away from each other. Al couldn't resist giving Scorpius the once over – this was better than his dreams! Scorpius was as handsome as ever yet the boyish look had gone – he was a very attractive man.

Al had so many questions he wanted to ask, like - When did he return? How long is he staying for? Is he single?

What come out of his mouth was, "Hedgehogs?"

Scorpius chuckled and Al grinned in reaction to the sound.

"Yes hedgehogs." Scorpius clarified as he stepped closer, "They get injured from becoming wedged in the tins – you wouldn't want that. Would you?" he asked as he took another step forwards, watching Al intently.

Al schooled his features to look mortified -exaggerating his reaction, "Oh my injured hedgehogs! It is a good thing you're here to save them."

Scorpius' shook his head, bent to retrieve the tin and took it to the nearest bin.

Al grinned, "Is there no end to your humanitarianism?"

Scorpius laughed, "Hedgehogs are important too Potter! You know I ought to spell a tin on your head and see how you like it." He challenged.

Al stepped closer and there was barely any space between them now, "Okay I'm sorry. I'll adopt a bunch of hedgehogs and re-home them if that helps?"

Scorpius arched an eyebrow, "Are we going to get to the kissing? Or are we going to talk about hedgehogs all night?" He complained light heartedly.

Al was taken aback by the suddenness of Scorpius' question about kissing. He really thought they would spend some time dancing around one another – this direct approach was surprising but definitely welcomed.

Al shrugged, "Well there is a lot to be worked out. Where the hedgehogs will sleep? What we will name them? Wh-?

Al was cut off by Scorpius' lips and he returned the kiss with force. In the next moment they appeared in Al's living room through side-along apparition. Scorpius was silent but gave Al a look to suggest he thought Al was being rather presumptuous.

Al never offered an apology or an explanation – he wanted Scorpius and he would show him instead.

- The End? -