The Platform was crowded. It was always crowded, but Scorpius didn't mind. He liked seeing people and their excitement as they looked forward to the journey to Hogwarts. His father pushed the trolley ahead of him through the crowd, waiting as the younger children passed in front of him, and Scorpius stood on his toes, scanning the crowd.

"Are you sure you packed everything?" Draco asked for the fifth time. As they crossed through the crowd of hugging families and excited reunions, Scorpius noticed that his father was drawing a lot of looks, and it was obvious why. They were surrounded by bright colors - students sporting their house garb and parents getting the last use of their summer clothes, all light and happiness, and Draco's black suit seemed so dark that it nearly ∂absorbed the sunlight streaming in from the glass ceiling.

"Yes, dad," Scorpius said, exasperated, his nose wrinkled with dissatisfaction. He didn't see any of the Potters, and his heart sank a bit. It had been an entire summer held up in the Malfoy Manor with barely any excursions, and the only thing he'd been looking forward to was going back to school where he could at least roam about with Albus.

Scorpius and Draco lifted his trunk off the trolley and slid it into one of the holding compartments beneath the train, and Scorpius grabbed his bag off the cart and slung it over his shoulder, looking across all the faces again.

At his side, Draco let out a long sigh.

"You look excited to be going back."

"Oh, I am," said Scorpius, realizing too late that his words could have been hurtful. "I mean, I enjoyed spending time with you. And reading. And reorganizing the library. All of it."

Scorpius' cheeks flushed red as he realized his backtracking was useless and he looked down at his shoes.

"I'll miss you," Scorpius said finally, and it was true. In keeping Scorpius on the Malfoy estate, Draco had ensured forced quality time with his son, and in some ways, Scorpius though it helped them both - especially when they finally went through his mother's things.

"That's the Stockholm Syndrome talking," said Draco, and Scorpius smiled at him. He was still surprised when his father made jokes, but since it was happening more frequently, he figured he'd have to get used to it.

"No," assured Scorpius. "I mean, I would have much rather been able to actually go to the bookstore, rather than have the books sent, but it wasn't so bad."

"I just want to keep you safe," said Draco. He placed his hand on Scorpius' shoulder and their eyes met - something that told Scorpius he needed to pay attention to his father's next words. "You're the only family I have. And you gave me quite a scare last year."

"I know," said Scorpius. "Only Malfoy heir and all that."

"No," said Draco. "You're all I have, Scorpius. So if I'm over protective, please understand why."

Scorpius smiled at him warmly and wrapped his arms around his father's torso, hugging him tight. He'd gotten taller in the last year, but his head still only reached his father's shoulder, and it's a comfortable place to be.

"You've grown up so much," said Draco, kissing the top of Scorpius' head, and Scorpius knew his classmates could see, but he didn't care.

"That's what happens when you keep feeding me broccoli," Scorpius told him, and Draco chuckled. It was difficult to get a laugh out of him still, but that didn't stop Scorpius from trying.

Draco released him and smoothed Scorpius' hair down just in time for Albus to come rushing in from the crowd and hug Scorpius so aggressively that it messed up his hair again and knocked the wind out of him.

"Albus!"

"Scorpius!"

Albus released him and the look of elation on his face was infectious, and Scorpius grinned too. His best friend's eyes were bright and his nose was dusted with summer freckles and a light sunburn. He was still in his muggle clothes, and Scorpius could see he'd grown over the summer too.

"Did you get taller?"

"Nah, I was just flying a lot. Apparently it wasn't a lie when they told us physical activity would make us stronger."

Scorpius laughed and Albus looked at Draco as if he was just noticing he was there.

"Mr. Malfoy. It's good to see you," said Albus politely. "I'm sorry if I interrupted."

"It's fine, Albus," Draco said kindly as Harry and Albus' siblings appeared with a cart stacked high with trunks and bags.

"Malfoys," greeted Harry.

"Potters," returned Draco. Scorpius waved at James and Lily, who were both looking equally sunburnt and summery.

"Hello!"

"Malfoy," said James coolly.

"Hi, Scorpius."

Lily had always been a bit more than cordial to him, and Scorpius knew Albus appreciated it on his behalf.

"Have a nice summer?"

"Yes," said Lily brightly. "We played a lot of Quidditch."

"Albus actually isn't a bad seeker," Harry told Draco. "He might make the Slytherin team this year."

Albus blushed as his father bragged, and Scorpius looked at him, bewildered.

"You don't even like Quidditch."

"I didn't like Quidditch on the principle that I was supposed to like it," said Albus. "Turns out I actually enjoy playing."

"It doesn't hurt that both our parents played," said James. "Though I'm not sure mum's ever managed to catch the Snitch herself."

"It was really great watching her and Rose play against each other," said Lily, bouncing. "She says Rose might even go pro someday. Speaking of - where are they?"

Scorpius watched as James and Albus craned about, looking for their cousins. They were so different, both on the surface and beneath it. James looked friendly and bold, and with his coppery hair in longer curls now, he looked more like a lion than ever - something Scorpius suspected was intentional.

Albus, on the other hand, was full of stark contrasts - black hair on paler skin with startling green eyes and straighter features. Though his moodiness had quelled in the last year after the time-turner incident gave him some perspective, Scorpius was often reminded of their roommate Flint's words one night when Albus was in one of his terser moods -

Careful there. You might fall and cut yourself on Albus.

He didn't look so jagged now, Scorpius thought, as he stood on his toes and spotted his family, waving to them. He was still tense - Albus was always tense - but he seemed, in some way, a bit more composed.

Scorpius saw Ron first and straightened himself, tugging his shirt down and into place and smoothing his hair back into place.

Rose emerged behind her family, wearing her Quidditch jumper over a pair of jeans with her bright red curls tied back, and Scorpius grinned at her.

"Hello, Rose!" he said brightly, his voice cracking a bit.

Puberty, he'd found, was rather heartless.

"Scorpius," Rose said with a nod. She had her broom over her back and looked like she could take to the skies at a second's notice.

"Ready for another season?"

Rose shrugged and smiled, glancing at James and Albus.

"I'm always ready."

"Rosie here," said Ron, wrapping an arm around his daughter's shoulders, "is ready to take whatever Slytherin can throw at her."

"Uncle Ron's been helping us practice since he was a Keeper," Lily explained for Scorpius. "Though I think he's lost his touch."

"Nonsense," said Hermione from Ron's shoulder. "Ron's always been a keeper."

Ron smiled and leaned down to kiss his wife, earning an eye roll and groan from Hugo and Rose.

"Give it a rest," said Hugo, shouldering through his family with his trunk. He tossed it into the luggage compartment, and together he and Ron ensured everyone's belongings were safe and stored.

A whistle blew from the front of the train, and around them, families started saying goodbye. Ron and Hermione wrapped their children in a single embrace, holding them both tight, while Harry and Ginny took turns hugging and kissing their kids goodbye. Albus left Scorpius' side to say goodbye, leaving him and Draco alone for a moment.

"Be safe this year," said Draco, hushed. "Don't let Albus lead you into trouble."

Scorpius wanted to argue, but it was easier to just agree, and he knew it would ease his father's mind.

"I won't," Scorpius assured him.

"And come home at some point this term," said Draco with a sad smile, drawing Scorpius into one last hug, which was returned twofold. "Any weekends you want. Just let me know so I can arrange it."

"I know, dad," said Scorpius.

"Bring Albus. Or whoever," added Draco. Scorpius laughed and let him to.

"I know, dad," said Scorpius. "I'll write as often as I can."

Draco patted Scorpius' cheek, taking in one last look at his son.

"Be safe," Draco said. "I love you."

Scorpius brightened every time Draco said those words. He was getting freer with them now, and though Scorpius always knew he was loved, it was nice to hear it more often.

"I love you too."

The rest of the Weasley progeny were already headed for the train, but Albus hung back. Scorpius waved goodbye to Draco, then Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione, before following Albus up the steps and onto the Hogwarts Express.

Hogwarts, Scorpius had found, was consistent and alive. The minute the students flooded through the doors it came to life, carrying their voices down halls and providing conversations with lively portraits. As they made their way down to the Slytherin dungeon, Scorpius looked around, taking in the castle with fresh eyes.

"You look entirely too happy to be back," said Albus. From his side, their roommate Andrew Farley agreed.

"I've been held up at home all summer," Scorpius said excitedly. "I'm just happy to be a free man again."

Albus snorted, unbuttoning the top of his shirt and loosening his tie as they walked.

"Yeah, my parents didn't let me out much either," said Albus. As they walked, he leaned over and whispered in Scorpius' ear. "That's why I took the Invisibility Cloak from James' trunk last night."

Scorpius grinned. So much for his promise to his father.

They waited in line outside the dungeon portal as the prefects explained the common rooms and entrances to the first years.

"So I hear you're trying out for the team in a couple weeks," Farley said.

"Word travels fast around here," replied Albus, disgruntled.

"What about you, Malfoy?"

Scorpius looked away from the tapestry he'd been studying.

"I'll stick to just flying around the countryside, thanks," he said. "I love to fly, but I'm no good at catching things."

Duncan Flint, another of their roommates, appeared at Farley's shoulder. Both of them had joined the Quidditch team in their fourth year, which Scorpius had been very grateful for. It meant they were tired, sound sleepers he couldn't wake with his nightmares.

"Guess you didn't get that from your father either," said Flint.

Scorpius sighed. He'd almost made it to the dorm without a snide comment about how different he was from Draco.

So close.

When Flint and Farley started talking about the upcoming season (which was usually all they talked about), Albus clapped Scorpius on the shoulder.

"Maybe I shouldn't try out for the team."

"No!" squeaked Scorpius. He cleared his throat. "No, you really should. You probably have loads of natural talent. Like James said - your mum was teaching you."

"Still," said Albus. "It might just get in the way -"

"Don't you dare skip out on Quidditch for me," hissed Scorpius. "Or use the fact that I'm not doing it as an excuse."

"Okay, okay," said Albus, holding up his hands in surrender. "I won't."

They entered the common room and found it just the way they'd left it - dark and sleek and green with the glow of the lake filtering in through the thick underwater windows. The Giant Squid was even there to greet them, as if he knew the students were returning.

"Ha! Look!"

Scorpius approached the window to get a better look as one of the squid's tentacles attached to the glass. Scorpius looked up, studying the suckers attached to the glass. Albus joined him enthusiastically.

"I love it when the squid visits," he said. "Look at the size of those tentacles!"

Their fourth roommate, Frederick Pucey, nudged Albus on the shoulder by way of greeting, looking up at the squid too as it moved through the water, letting go of the window and floating off.

"Have a good summer, boys?"

"Boring," said Scorpius, shaking his head.

"Very dull," replied Albus, stepping back and moving to another window to watch the squid as it moved through the water, around the dungeon.

"Heard you're going to try out for Quidditch," said Pucey.

"Doesn't everyone have something better to talk about?"

"Harry Potter's son possibly playing for Slytherin?" asked Pucey. "It's pretty much all anyone is talking about."

"I think it's far more interesting that it's the son of Ginny Weasley, former pro Quidditch player, trying out, but sure - let's make it about my dad like everything else."

Ah, thought Scorpius. There's Albus.

Albus gave up on watching the squid and resorted to arguing with Pucey over whether or not Slytherin had a more viable alternative for the seeker position, and Scorpius sat back on one of the couches and listened as he looked around the room. By and large, they'd been mostly ignored, and for once Scorpius felt almost welcome in the common room - no stares or jeers.

After a while, Scorpius started dozing off, and Albus tapped him on the shoulder.

"Huh?"

"Come on," said Albus. He held his hand out to help Scorpius up in his grogginess, and Scorpius grabbed his arm gratefully.

"Bedtime?"

"It's almost eleven."

"How long was I asleep?" asked Scorpius, rubbing his eyes. "How long were you talking?"

"A while," said Albus, ushering him down the hall to the dorm.

The boys' dorm smelled like clean sheets and wood polish, and Scorpius looked at his desk fondly. It felt good to be back.

"Oh, no," said Albus. "Not again."

Scorpius looked at him, confused, and followed his gaze to the foot of Scorpius' bed. There, on his brand new trunk, were the words "Voldemort Spawn" sprawled across the lid in bright gold paint.

"Lovely, isn't it?" said Flint through a mouthful of toothpaste. He was already in his pajamas.

"It's fine," said Scorpius, shoulders slumped in defeat. "I'll clean it off tomorrow."

"I'm going to find out who did this," Flint assured him.

"They'll pay," agreed Pucey.

"Thanks," said Scorpius. "But that isn't really necessary."

"I think it is," said Albus.

"That's your mother talking."

Scorpius pulled open his wardrobe and grabbed a fresh pair of pajamas, grateful that the house elves had already set up his things. He didn't want to have to look at the trunk more than he had to.

"Scorp..."

"I'm fine, Al," Scorpius said. "I'm just going to get ready for bed."

Scorpius disappeared into the bathroom. It wasn't that he minded being called the Son of Voldemort anymore - the line was so old that it didn't bother him much - but he'd been at his mother's grave that very morning before heading to King's Cross. He didn't think the pranksters knew how much they were disrespecting Astoria's memory, or how kind and generous she was, but Scorpius knew, and it hurt all the more.

"Rose! Hey, Rose!"

Scorpius chased Rose Granger-Weasley down the staircase, stumbling a bit as it jerked beneath his feet and began to move.

Rose looked over her shoulder at him and visibly sighed, but also smiled.

"Hello, Scorpius."

"Ready for the first day of classes?" Scorpius asked eagerly, bouncing on his heels.

"Yes," she said, somewhat amused by his excitement. Scorpius found it encouraging.

"Where are you off to?"

"I've got Arithmancy, and then Advanced Potions."

"Oh, I've got Advanced Potions too!"

"Oh, good," said Rose. Her smile was noticeably forced, which quelled Scorpius' enthusiasm.

Maybe this year wasn't going to be so different after all.

"So..." Scorpius wracked his brain for another topic, lest she hop of the staircase once it stopped moving, but it was difficult. Rose made thinking difficult for him - everything she said felt like a challenge. "Any other exciting subjects?"

Rose shook her head slowly. "Nothing new," she said. "Just the usual."

"Oh. Well, okay. No surprises then, right?"

Scorpius smiled, hoping she'd laugh. She didn't, so he continued talking simply because he couldn't stop himself.

"I was looking at the schedule earlier," he said. "There's a Hogsmeade -"

"Don't." Rose began. "Don't you dare ask me out again."

Scorpius fell silent. He was going to do exactly that. The staircase went still, connected to the landing below, and Rose took off, leaving him behind.

"See you in Potions, then!" he called after her.

"That acorn isn't growing, is it?"

Scorpius looked up behind him and saw Albus coming to meet him down the stairs. He sighed and shook his head.

"No, it isn't."

"Sorry, mate," said Albus. "She's always been so stubborn."

They walked down the corridor together towards the Muggle Studies classroom.

"Maybe you should think about asking someone else out," Albus suggested cautiously. Scorpius snorted.

"Like who?"

"I don't know," said Albus, thinking. "We know Polly Chapman has the potential to like you, based on what happened last year, and she's really not so bad in this reality."

Scorpius cringed.

"I don't want anything to do with that timeline."

"Well, it's not really that timeline -"

"No, Albus," Scorpius said firmly as they turned into the classroom. Albus selected a desk at the dead center of the classroom - close enough that Scorpius could see, but far enough away that he could duck any questions.

Scorpius threw his bag on the floor and sank down into his seat. It had been nearly a year, and still he had nightmares. Albus didn't know, of course. He'd known the first few weeks after weren't the best, but once Scorpius stopped crying out in his sleep, he saw no need to wake Albus or anyone else in the dorm, and when Albus asked, he'd shrugged off the question, content to let Albus put the whole ordeal behind him.

"Well, there are lots of other girls," said Albus, stretching in his seat. "And you're the Scorpion King. Take your pick."

Scorpius rolled his eyes and squinted at the board, trying to see the chapter he needed.

At the end of September, Scorpius followed a nervous Albus out to the Quidditch pitch. He was wearing the practice gear Farley had provided, and was looking none too sure of himself.

"You'll be fine," said Scorpius. "What's the worst that can happen?"

"I fall off my broom and die and come back as a very humiliated ghost?"

"Ok. What's the worst thing that can happen that's actually likely to occur?"

"That I don't make the team," said Albus as they trod through the damp morning grass. "Wait, you think it's likely that I won't make it?"

"I didn't say that."

"You meant it," mumbled Albus.

"I did not," said Scorpius. "If your dad says you're good and your mum helped train you, then I'm sure you'll be great!"

"You think so?"

"I know so," said Scorpius, enthusiastic. "You're going to be the best seeker Slytherin has had since my father."

"From what I hear that isn't saying much."

"Well, I'm entirely certain neither of us is getting an unbiased account," Scorpius reminded him.

Albus laughed nervously and looked over the field at his competition.

"Okay. Well... wish me luck."

Scorpius clapped him on the shoulder, doing his best to look cheery and confident.

"Good luck!"

Albus sat down on the field after tryouts, and Scorpius ran down from the stands to meet him as the other Slytherin Quidditch aficionados started to head back to the castle. Once most of the others were gone, he jogged onto the field to where Albus sat in shock near the midfield marker.

"Sweet Merlin, that was brilliant!" cried Scorpius.

"I can't believe I did it," said Albus, stunned. He looked up at Scorpius, his eyes wide and far away. "I can't believe I actually did it."

"Wait until my father hears about this," Scorpius laughed. "Good terms or not, he's going to be so irked that a Potter is Slytherin's new seeker."

"Father..." Albus said slowly. "I have to tell my father."

"Aren't you excited?" Scorpius asked, bouncing.

"I finally did something better than James," Albus said, and then suddenly looked both horrified and ill. "I'm going to have to play against Rose."

Scorpius looked down at him, all mismatched gear and grass stains, and smiled at Albus. Even if he was anxious, Scorpius knew how much he'd wanted to make the team - he'd talked about it every day over the last month - and Scorpius wanted him to be happy.

"Does this mean I have to start going to more of the games?" Scorpius asked.

"Only when Slytherin is playing," Albus said, a grin breaking across his face. He looked up at Scorpius as the shock wore off and he was both relieved and excited.

"I made the team," he said again. "Just barely, but I made the team."

"That you did," said Scorpius, extending his hand to help him up. Albus took it, and Scorpius pulled him to his feet. "Come on. This calls for a celebration."

"You're not very good at celebrating," said Albus, though he didn't seem at all surprised or unhappy as he looked around the kitchens. It had been a long time since they'd visited.

"How on earth are Butterbeer and tarts disappointing you?"

Scorpius thanked the elf who brought them a plate of sweets and two tankards of Butterbeer and sat down at one of the long tables.

"Sometimes I don't understand why we even bother with the Great Hall," said Scorpius as Albus sat across from him. He shoved one of the tarts in his mouth. "I mean, the food is good and we don't have to talk to people."

"Or get stared at," said Albus before taking a long drink. One of the house elves passed them slowly, and Albus smiled and waved. The elf scurried off.

"Well, mostly. Even the elves have to get a better look at Harry Potter's son," said Scorpius. "And the Son of Voldemort. That too."

Albus cringed.

"I can't believe how stubborn that paint was," said Albus. "I'm sorry it ruined your trunk."

Scorpius shrugged. "It's not the first thing of mine to be vandalized. It won't be the last."

"Still, I wish I could get my hands on whoever did it," said Albus through a mouthful of food.

"And what would you do if you did?" Scorpius asked. The question was meant to be rhetorical, but he'd found Albus didn't quite understand that concept.

"I'd hex them," said Albus. "Plain and simple"

"You'd do nothing of the sort."

"Yes, I would," said Albus. "They hurt you. That's not okay."

Scorpius looked down into his Butterbeer, feeling color rising in his cheeks, though he wasn't sure why.

"That's nice of you to say," he admitted. "But I wouldn't want you getting detention over something so stupid."

"I'm Harry Potter's son," Albus reminded him. "I'm already on the Quidditch team. Time I started acting recklessly and really live up to the name."

"You're also named after Albus Dumbledore," Scorpius retorted. "You have to live up to that name too."

For that, Albus had no response. He just ate another tart, sulking.

"Don't be getting into fights over some stupid prank."

"Pranks are meant to be funny," Albus reminded him. "This isn't funny."

"You know what I mean."

"I do," he confirmed. "But I still think I should get to hex someone."

Scorpius was touched and reached across the table, grabbing Albus' forearm to ensure he was paying attention.

"And I appreciate the sentiment," Scorpius said, purposeful. "Truly. But let's try to avoid detention this year. I've had my fill of it after last year."

"True," Albus agreed. "We only barely convinced McGonagall to give us back our Hogsmeade weekends."

"Right?" said Scorpius, withdrawing his hand. "Speaking of, I have something to tell you."

"Something good, I hope."

"I guess," he said with a shrug. "I was talking to Katie Abbot the other day after Runes."

"Neville's niece?"

"I still find it strange that you're on a first name basis with him, but yes," said Scorpius. "And she kept talking about Hogsmeade and how much she liked going and apparently we both really love Honeydukes -"

"You're rambling again."

"Oh. Well, I'm not entirely sure how I did it, but I asked her out, even though the first visit is a few weeks away."

Albus stared at him, clearly expecting more to the story.

"And she said yes."

Albus continued staring.

"Is it that much of a shock?" Scorpius asked.

"A little bit," said Albus. "I didn't even know you liked her. Hell, I didn't even know you knew her."

"Just because she's a year below us?"

"You helped her with her homework, didn't you?" Albus smirked. He was always teasing Scorpius for tutoring the younger students in the Slytherin common room and the library. Scorpius simply couldn't resist a struggling student when he knew he could help, even if they did tend to steer clear of him otherwise.

"So?"

Albus chuckled, but Scorpius couldn't help noting that his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. He chalked it up to jealousy that he had a date and Albus didn't.

"Well, good for you, mate," said Albus, and he raised his tankard. Scorpius smiled and tapped the edge of his near-empty Butterbeer tankard against Albus', feeling just a bit disappointed that they wouldn't spend the first Hogsmeade visit of the year together at Zonko's and the Three Broomsticks.