He strode towards the two gargoyles which stood by a grand oak door. As he passed them, a shower of blue and purple sparks cascaded onto his lean body. How annoying. Wincing, he pushed open the door. Piercing grey eyes shifted nervously under his bowler hat as he sank into the chair opposite the Headmistress of Hogwarts.

"Ah! Draco Malfoy! What a pleasure to see you again!" Professor McGonagall leaned forward on her elbows to look into the eyes of her ex-pupil. "I assume you are here because of Scorpius?"

Malfoy gave a curt nod. His face was sallow and the corners of his lips set into a permanent frown. The skin across his cheekbones had sagged, giving him and aged look, although he must have just been a shy over 39. Black eye circles had crept below his eyes – he was clearly troubled.

"Well, I have assumed you have seen his scores?" McGonagall chirped pleasantly.

"Even I didn't do that badly in my fourth year," Malfoy said hoarsely. "It's… it's unbelievable."

"It is believable and I am going to do something about it," McGonagall said robustly, tapping her quill against her inkbottle. Draco sank lower into his seat, feeling very much as if he were the one in trouble.

"You can help my son?"

"Perhaps," McGonagall stood, a mysterious smile on her face. Malfoy eyed her warily as she paced her office

"I am sure you are acquainted with Rose Weasley?" McGonagall said abruptly, turning on her heel. "Topped the year? Daughter of Ron and Hermione Weasley?"

Malfoy winced, as if the very mention of the wizarding heroes had pierced him. He sat up straighter in his seat "Surely you aren't planning to…"

"Rose will make an excellent tutor for Scorpius," McGonagall finished hurriedly. "Sweet girl – I'm sure they'd get along."

Draco narrowed his eyes. "You're joking. Over my dead body."

"Mr Malfoy, Scorpius is my student and I do hope I don't have to kill you for Rose to tutor him. She's excellent at teaching and has coached many of my younger students. If you truly care for your son, I advise you to encourage him to study harder instead of spending all his time on the Quidditch Pitch," McGonagall said firmly. Something about her no-nonsense tone indicated to Draco that their discussion had ended. Resigned, he fell back against the chair, arms crossed.

"And when will he attend these, these… sessions?" he asked, pressing his fingers to his temple.

"That, I shall leave to Miss Potter," she said, smiling.

Malfoy hesitated, and then muttered something about telling Scorpius before school reopened.

"Excellent. How if you will excuse me, Draco, I have many things to prepare before the start of the new semester. Wish Scorpius a happy fifth year ahead for me, will you?" McGonagall said, waving the sullen Malfoy out of her office.

The door closed with a click, and Minerva McGonagall sighed. Personally, she had no idea whether this was a wise decision – in fact, she had never been so unsure about assigning tutors in her life.

Shuffling her papers, she closed her eyes and hoped for the best.