"Al, you know I love you. But I... I just don't think getting married is the right path for us." Quinn was not looking at his boyfriend as he spoke, instead staring at the plate of food in front of him. Albus, for his part, was having a hard time looking at his boyfriend. Tears were starting to come even if he didn't know why.

"What are you saying, Quinn? Are we... is this the end?" Al asked. His voice cracked, and Quinn looked up at the face of the boy he loved, the boy whose heart he was breaking.

"Albus I love you. More than anything," Quinn said, reaching across the table to take his boyfriend's hand.

"That doesn't answer my question, Quinn," Al replied, slipping his hand out of reach. "I love you more than anything too. But you can love someone and still end things with them. Just look at what Alice did..."

"I don't want to break up with you Al. But I also don't want to marry you," Quinn said, trying to keep all emotion from his voice.

"Then I guess I'm going to leave," Al said, standing.

Albus hated being back in the Potter cottage in Godric's Hollow. He had moved out when he was 19, living with Scorpius and their other friend, Alan, and then when Rose and Scorpius had gotten married, Albus had had enough money to get a small cottage...and Quinn had moved in with him after his grandfather had died. Technically the cottage was in Al's name, but unlike Quinn, Al had a home to go back to. So, Al went home to Godric's Hollow.

"Albus, you've been here a week. Your mum and I love having you here, of course, and we always welcome you, but... why did you come?" Harry Potter said, sitting down on the pavement under the statue of himself as a baby and his parents.

"I don't want to talk about him, Dad," Al said, his arms crossed around his knees.

"Okay, well, your brother is getting married tomorrow. Is Quinn still going?" Al swore under his breath.

"I don't want him to not go," he said softly. "I still love him, Dad."

"Well did you invite him to the rehearsal dinner?" Harry asked. Albus nodded.

"Elle told me to."

"So maybe you'll see him tonight and you can talk?" Harry suggested. Al shook his head.

"We... I don't think he'll come with how I left."

"Al, do you want him to come?" Harry asked.

"I don't know Dad! Can you... Can you please just leave me alone, and tell Mum to too. Maybe I'll talk to you after the wedding... I'm still processing."

"Okay, son. Just know that I don't control your mother. She's always had a mind of her own."

As they stood in the church, Al couldn't believe his annoying older brother was getting married. More than that, he couldn't believe that he wasn't the best man. No James had chosen Freddie. Just another reason his life sucked. His own brother didn't think he was close enough to be the bloody best man.

"Alright, everyone, in muggle tradition, we will now head to eat food!" James announced as he walked up to his groomsmen. James looked at Al, and for a second he thought his brother noticed that something was wrong, but it was gone as soon as it appeared.

As they walked into the private dining room, Albus found his boyfriend's bright blue eyes first. Al did a double take - yes, there was his boyfriend, with his long, curly blonde hair, sitting next to Frank, who was holding Rory. Rory was playing with Quinn's hair, and as he watched, his boyfriend leaned over and played with his niece. Albus couldn't help but smile, though at the same time he felt as though his heart was breaking into a thousand pieces.

"Quinn," he finally choked out. "What are you doing?"

"Your mum came to see me at the cottage today..." Quinn said. "She said that I needed to come."

"Well, I told my dad not to let her..." Albus searched the room for his parents, but they were no where to be found.

"Al, this isn't the place. We'll talk afterward."

"Lily and Rory are spending the night at your grandmother's house, Al...I'm the only one going to be at the flat, if you'd like to come over and talk, somewhere neutral? Quinn was talking to me, and well... I think you guys really need to have a conversation," Frank said, looking at the pair.

"Oh, Quinn told you what was going on? Good for you. Because I've got no fucking clue." Al wanted to run out of the dining space. Quinn looked like he did, too. Instead, Al walked forward to sit at the head table.

"Thank you for coming," Quinn said as he, Frank, and Al walked from the apparition point to Lily's flat.

"He didn't tell me much, Al," Frank said as he got to the door of the building.

"I don't care," Al said. "He didn't tell me anything."

"Al, you left. You walked out. And you didn't come home. I've been waiting there for a week."

"You never have to leave anyway. You work from home."

"Listen Al, I'm sorry. That wasn't the way to bring the topic up."

"No kidding," Al said, rolling his eyes.

"Albus please," Quinn said.

"Quinn, I don't understand. I love you. I've told you that more times than I can count. I want to get married to you. I thought you wanted to marry me, too. You said yes."

"Al, five seconds and we'll be in the flat. I'll make tea and you can sit and talk..."

"Frank I don't want that! I know you're a nanny and are the responsible, calm one between you and Lily, but this isn't you and Lily. This is me, and my life..." Albus trailed off as he entered his sister's flat with his boyfriend and hers.

"I'm not saying you guys are anything like me and Lilluna. But sit down, drink some tea..." Frank said, as he headed over to the little kitchen. Quinn slipped his hand around Al's, and Al let Quinn pull him over to the couch.

"Albus, I thought I wanted to marry you. I really did. I love you so much. I don't want to date anyone else. I just... I don't know how I'm supposed to be your husband. I know I use male pronouns and I outwardly identify as a boy, but... Al, I don't want to just be your husband. I want to be your partner for life. Gay marriage isn't on the same playing field as hetero marriage. It's not right. We're just as well off being committed to each other. I don't need a legal document and a big ceremony to dedicate myself to you. I did that over three years ago." Quinn finished speaking, tears in his eyes as he slid the ring Al had given him a year before off his left hand.

"You're giving me back the band? All I'm hearing are mixed signals, Quinn," Al said, tearing up himself. Al looked away from Quinn to see Frank working over by the stove.

"Do you still love me?" Quinn asked, his voice breaking.

"Of course," Al whispered. "I never stopped."

"Then come home. We'll get rings together. Trade that one in. Something to show not just us, but everyone in the world that we're committed to each other."

"I don't understand," Al said, shaking his head. "I don't get it, Quinn."

"Frank?" Quinn asked, looking across the room. Frank nodded at his name, grabbing a tray with a teapot and teabags as well as three teacups and bringing them over.

"No. I'm not doing this. I'm not letting some other guy explain your intentions, Quinn. You gave me back the ring. I don't know what you want me think. I'm leaving." With that, Al stood, walked over to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of floo powder and stepped into the fire.

Al really wished he was anywhere other than at James's wedding. He was glad Elle and James were finally getting married, of course, and happy for his brother, but as his own romantic life fell apart the last thing he wanted was to be somewhere celebrating love. Even worse, Quinn had come. It was like he didn't realize he wasn't invited to Potter family functions anymore.

Al tipped back his third (well, at least he thought it was his third) beer of the hour (of course James had to have a Muggle wedding), brooding over the fact that Quinn was on the dance floor, twirling around with Rory. It should have been Al dancing with Quinn- er, Rory Albus thought. Suddenly, he noticed someone standing near him. He looked up and saw the person he was least expecting - Alice Longbottom.

"Hey, Al, can we talk?" Alice said. Al didn't know what to do, but Alice took this as a sign to sit. "So Frank was talking to me..."

"Alice why are you hear?" Albus blurted out, his judgement lacking due to the alcohol. Alice nodded.

"I was invited. We are family friends, Al. I'm not just your ex-girlfriend. I... Did I ever tell you how much I liked seeing that you and Quinn became a couple? At first, it broke my heart... I hated seeing you finally romantic with someone else."

"Yeah, well we see how long that lasted," Al muttered. Alice gave him a sharp look.

"Listen, you and Quinn are meant to be. You bring out the best in each other, and Albus, I know you really love him and I'm not going to let you give that up just because he doesn't know how to communicate what he wants."

"Alice you broke up with me years ago, and our friendship ended. You've got no control of my life anymore."

"Albus, let me be a friend! Because as a friend, I don't like watching you down ten beers in two hours and sit alone over here moping. I want you to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you." Albus sighed, not wanting to listen to Alice because he knew she was right.

"You're infuriating."

"So are you. Do you want me to moderate between you two?" Alice suggested.

"Actually...That might just work," Albus said.

Albus and Quinn had talked things out after the wedding. The conversation had started at the wedding, with Alice's help, and they had actually talked instead of argued. Al even went home with Quinn that night to their house.

They talked more the next day, and by the Wednesday after the wedding they had a plan. They were going to enter what the muggles called a Civil Partnership. It was basically being married, though there were some differences. They were going to get matching bands to wear signifying their love. Now they just had to tell their families.

"Hey Mum, can you call a dinner with James and Elle, and Lil, and I guess Frank, and Quinn and I soon?" Albus said into his phone about a month later.

"Of course, hon. What's up?" Ginny Potter said through the phone.

"Well, Quinn and I have a bit of an announcement..."

"Are you guys staying together then?"

"Yes, Mum."

"Marriage?"

"It's actually not that easy, Mum. Did you know the Ministry still won't approve gay marriage? It's crazy but true."

"You're Harry Potter's son. We could-"

"No, Mum. I don't want you pulling strings. If nothing else, Harry Potter's middle son not getting married because he legally can't will bring attention to the issue. Quinn and I both agreed on that."

"Oh. So what are you going to do then?"

"We'll explain everything at dinner."

"Are you two still going to try for kids?" Ginny asked. She had known her son always wanted them. Lily was the one who was always saying she was never having kids. James was planning on having kids because Elle wanted them, and James himself wasn't against it. Growing up though, Ginny had watched Al interact with the little kids in the neighborhood, and even now with Rory, and she could see how good a father he would be.

"Obviously neither of us can conceive a child," Al said flatly. "We're working it out. We might go for adoption. After Molly's reforms, the foster program for young witches and wizards is something we would consider. There are different routes we could take if we want a kid. Quinn's definately not ready yet."

"What about you, Al?"

"I love Quinn. I can still love on Rory and all of Teddy's kids... Everyone's kids. Did you hear Rose is pregnant?"

"Yes, your uncle called this morning to ask if he could have someone arrest Scorpius for impregnating his daughter. Your father laughed. I told Ron that they've been married for two years, this was bound to happen soon, and he can't complain but should be happy."

"Bet he took that well," Albus said, laughing. "Honestly, I'm so excited. Rose is going to be such a good mum."

"Alright, Al, I've got to get back to this article. I'll let you know what day works for everyone soon?"

"Sounds good. Thanks, Mum." Albus said.

"Of course dear, it's not a problem. Talk to you soon!" With that, they both hung up. Albus walked into the living room of the cottage, where his boyfriend was curled up with a book he was editing.

"Mum's going to try and find a date that works for everyone," Al said, sitting softly on the couch next to Quinn.

"Good. How much did she bug you?"

"I told her we're not having a traditional marriage, but I stopped at that. She can find out stuff later."

"I figured she would ask something. That's the journalist in your mum." Quinn set the book down and grabbed Al's hand as he scooted closer.

"Quinn, I really do love you more than anything," Albus said, pulling Quinn in closer.

"And I love you, Albus. I'm glad we worked stuff out. I guess I was just... I don't know. Marriage is big."

"So's what we're doing," Al said, smiling softy as his boyfriend shifted to rest his head on Al's chest. Al kissed the top of Quinn's head.

"Yeah, but I feel like we've talked more now than before. We both know what we want from everything."

"Actually, I don't know if we have," Al said slowly, thinking back to what his mother had said. "Quinn, do you want kids?"

"What? I mean sure, eventually. I don't think... If I was going to have kids with anyone, it'd be with you. I'd just be afraid of screwing them up like I'm screwed up."

"You aren't screwed up, Quinn," Al said quickly. "And I want to have kids at some point with you. It doesn't have to be soon." Silence fell over the couple. Finally, several minutes later, Quinn spoke.

"I love you."

"I love you more."

Three Years Later

Albus rolled over in bed, waking from a good night's sleep. After stretching and wiping some of the sleep from his eyes, he looked over at his partner and smiled. Quinn was the most handsome thing Al had ever laid eyes on, and that was especially true when he was still peacefully asleep. Albus absentmindedly played with the ring on his left hand, the one that matched the ring Quinn pair had legally been together for two years and a few months, and though things hadn't been easy, Al couldn't wait for more years to come.

About two months after the paperwork had gone through, Quinn's father had cornered him outside of the publishing house Quinn worked for, saying all kinds of rude things and threatening Quinn. He had come back to Al in tears, saying that they were stupid to think this was going to work. Albus didn't say a word that night but held Quinn in his arms until his tears stopped. They had gone to bed that night and just held each other.

A nasty Rita Skeeter article had come out about the pair as well, saying all kinds of untrue things about how the pair had gotten together, why they hadn't gotten married, and other homophobic things. She claimed to have gotten quotes from the Weasely family, which couldn't have happened since none of them said a word around her, but reading the article and knowing that a portion of the public would believe it was heartbreaking for Al. The quotes included one from Al's parents saying that they were sad their son would never be able to have a biological child, and that they loved Alice Longbottom with him so much. Quinn, seeing Al's reaction, had talked with Ginny and Harry to set up an interview with a respected reporter for the four of them to get the full story out.

Al and Quinn hadn't wanted to be public figures, but they were becoming ones. Granted, Albus was already famous, so they knew their relationship being permanent was going to make more of a statement than James and Elle. What they didn't expect was to be asked to help plan Diagon Alley's first official Pride Parade, or for young teenagers to come up to them in the shops over holiday and tell them about how seeing Albus Potter married to a bloke gave them the confidence to come out, but also gave them hope for a happy future.

And now, this very day, in fact, Molly would be bringing over their first foster daughter. Al and Quinn had talked long and hard before deciding that they were finally ready to fill out the foster paperwork three months previously, and then they had spent plenty of time with Molly trying to make sure they got a good match. When she talked to Al about a witch who still had two years left of Hogwarts that had gotten pregnant and disowned because of it, Al thought of Lily and wanted to help the girl right away. Quinn wasn't on board at first; he was worried about issues with mother being so young, but when they met with the girl there was a connection, and both men knew it was right.

"Al," Quinn said, half awake, bringing Al back to the present moment. "When's Mol bringing the baby?"

"Ten-thirty... which is in about twenty minutes! Crap! I woke up an hour ago... but I got lost in thought looking at you and now I have no time to get the house ready!" Al sat up.

"Love, it's okay. It's Molly. She's already checked the house and we've got everything set up," Quinn said, sitting up much slower than his other half. "We just need to get dressed and get ready."

"Quinn, in less than half an hour we're going to have a baby! We're not ready! What were we thinking?"

"Albus Severus Potter, listen to me. Stella, your three-year-old goddaughter loves you. Rory, your four-year-old niece loves hanging out with Uncle Al and Uncle Quinn. Both girls can't wait to see us with our baby. Stella said so when Rose and Scorpius were over with her yesterday. Remember?"

"Just because a couple of children think we can have kids doesn't make it true," Albus muttered.

"Think of Izzie. We're saving her. You know who she said got her pregnant. That baby is going to be magical. If we don't help her, she's not going to be able to finish her education and support the baby. Unlike us, she doesn't have people behind her that are supporting her. Okay, Molly and Ryan had her living with them this summer because she had no where to go and the matron of the Ministry-sponsored orphanage/group home refused to take in a pregnant fifteen-year-old."

"How the hell did Molly's program end up with such a stick in the mud in charge, anyway?" Al asked.

"You know Aunt Hermione's trying to get to the bottom of it. And trying to figure out who to put in charge after she removes the current head, but it's not exactly a job people are jumping for. Regardless, we can handle this baby."

"If you say so, Quinn," Al said softly. He got out of bed and slipped on a jumper and some pants while Quinn too got dressed. Hand in hand, they both left their bedroom to go wait in the living room for Molly to come with the baby.

What seemed both like seconds and hours later simultaneously, there was a knock at the door. Al was sitting, frozen, unable to believe that the time was finally here. Quinn stood to open the door. Smiling from the other side was Al's cousin, Molly, her short red hair pulled back by a headband and a bundle of blankets in her arms.

"Hello, boys, meet your new daughter, Allegra," Molly said, holding out the bundle of blankets. Albus stood and ran forward to take the tiny baby from Molly's hands.

"She's so small," Quinn said softly.

"She was less than six pounds at birth. She's healthy though, and Isadora's doing okay. She's at home with Ryan now. I told her she couldn't come."

"Why?" Al asked, looking up from where he'd been happily staring at his daughter.

"You said she could name her, but there have to be limits. She is Allegra's birth mother, yes, but that's it. Especially since the birth father had a conversation with Isadora and told her in no uncertain terms that he was not interested in supporting her or the child in the future, and he signed away any parental rights. She was figuring he'd come around, but now that he hasn't, she needs to decide if she actually wants to take on raising a child who's life she'll be absent from for three years, or if she just wants to give her up."

"Well," Quinn looked at Albus, "we will keep her as long as we can. Izzie can even have visiting rights if she wants. A girl should have a mother in her life. But I do think it would be best if she lived with us and we were her guardians."

Molly nodded. "Well, I don't have anything else to say today. Congrats, boys, and I expect to see you three at family dinner Sunday." With that, she left, and the boys were left with their tiny new daughter. Al and Quinn looked at each other and smiled. This... This was the future they had dreamed about. And here it was.

A/N: There's Quinn and Al's story for you, folks! It's a long one I know, but I really enjoyed writing the end, and I thought it was really important to show how they took their mess and turned it into a force for good. So next we have our last chapter (I'm not crying you are... JK i'm crying too) about Lily, Rory, and Frank, and I'm really excited. So James and Elle get married in 2029, then this takes place between June 2029 and June 2032, and Lily's chapter will be set in October 2032! Please leave your thoughts, comments, etc because I love reading them. If you think the end is too much, PLEASE tell me, because i know I got carried away but I loved the idea a lot and I wanted to try and work it in. Okay, I think that's all now. Thanks again for reading, and tell me if you want anything special in Lily's chapter! I love you all!