Summer Before Sixth Year
Albus is nervous for the summer, nervous for how his family will treat him, but unbeknownst to him Draco and Neville have been in communication with Harry and Ginny regularly, and nobody treats him like he's broken or stupid as he had feared. James has passed his NEWTs and will be serving an apprenticeship with Uncle Bill come the fall, and his mind is focused on moving out and the girls he'll meet. Lily is focused on training for Quidditch; she hopes to have a career like Ginny's. Albus himself gets back into routines with Harry, and they slowly, carefully, work to open up their communication more and more. Albus is surprised to rediscover what he knew as a child, that his dad can be quick with a quip and wonderfully snarky.
They talk about the future, Albus shyly confirming what he's spoken about with Professor McGonnagall, that he'd like to find a position with a master Herbologist after Hogwarts, maybe have his own greenhouse one day to supply bespoke potions and top tier personally grown potions ingredients. Maybe travel and learn about growing techniques and plants in other regions, or even how Muggles use plants? He's surprised that his parents encourage him, and another crack in his brittle heart seals over.
It's not until the end of the summer, after the annual Weasley Back to School Bash when James and Lily opt to stay the night with their grandparents that Albus finds himself alone in the dim back garden with his parents and the subject of girlfriends surfaces again. Somehow the dark gives him courage and he finally says aloud what's been building in his mind - that he isn't really interested in girls, but might be in guys. Harry almost freezes, unsure what to do with this vulnerability from his prickly middle child, but Ginny easily fills in that they're just happy for him to find peace and joy, however that looks for him. In the deepening twilight, Harry finds himself gently asking, "is it Scorpius?", not sure what he hopes the answer is. When Albus gulps and says "yeah, I think so, Dad" and Harry says "you should tell him, then" there are no dry eyes in the garden, but the stars won't tell.
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Scorpius is happy to go to his father, and to relax and think. They go walking again, and play the piano again, and Scorpius cherishes the time even as he realizes how few times like this there are left before he comes of age.
They also discuss the future. Scorpius wants to write books, history books - maybe textbooks or maybe for the masses. But he's really interested in how Muggles teach and learn history, and how it intersects with Magical history. Draco looks very thoughtful, and Scorpius is pleased to see how seriously his father takes the wild idea.
One thing they return to over and over is how proud Draco is of Scorpius, and how proud Astoria would be. Draco wasn't a Slytherin for nothing, and he's sure Scorpius has something he needs to get off his chest, and Draco's willing to do what it takes to get his son to talk, but it's not until the last week of summer holidays, sitting by the fire in the library, that he finally asks Scorpius if there's anyone he or Albus are thinking of dating this year - any girls or guys. Scorpius has been shifting awkwardly in his chair and at this question, asked blandly but directly, he meets his father's eyes and bursts into tears. Everything pours out in a rush: the failed attempt at dating Rose, realizing that he's not particularly interested in girls and not at all interested in having kids, but that he knows it's on him to continue the Malfoy line. Draco is stunned to realize that this is still in his son's mind and Scorpius is equally stunned to hear his father say "damn the Malfoy line!" Scorpius blushes when his father asks, "Albus?" and nods. He blushes harder when Draco smiles and says "Your mum would have loved him, as do I." So Scorpius spends his last night at home crying and smiling and dazzled with possibilities of the future.