Summer 2019—Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire

Narcissa Malfoy stood at the window of the lodge, where she and her husband had resided since their son Draco had wed seventeen years prior. It was located on the northern side of the expansive Wiltshire estate that the Malfoys had held since the eleventh century. The comfortable house was significantly smaller than the manor, where her son and his family now resided, but certainly no less lavish. The three-story stone house was tucked into a hillside that overlooked one of the many small lakes on the property.

It was across the water that Narcissa gazed upon her only child, standing at the shoreline. The light afternoon breeze lifted his long, pale hair and ruffled his robes. His shoulders drooped, and he stood with his hands shoved into his pockets and his head bowed.

Draco pursed his lips when he heard the soft pop behind him. He really hadn't the desire to speak to anyone just now, and regretted coming to this spot to wallow in his melancholy.

"I am, quite honestly, disinclined to converse at the moment, Mother," he said, without turning. He watched a swan gliding along the water.

"I don't wish to disturb you, my darling," she replied. Draco rolled his eyes. He knew that her words and her actions were miles apart. He continued to watch the graceful bird, and waited for her to continue. "Where is Scorpius?" she asked.

"Still in his rooms."

"He mustn't be alone at a time like this, Draco." Narcissa stepped forward and placed a hand upon his shoulder.

"I know that, Mother, but I won't force him to put on a brave face just for the sake of appearances. He'll have plenty of time for that at the funeral. He is still a child, you know."

"Of course, my son, but Scorpius must learn that he cannot run and hide every time things go wrong. That is not the way of a Malfoy. You—"

"He isn't me!" Draco snapped as he spun to face his mother. "Scorpius will be his own man, Mother! He will be a better wizard than I ever was at his age!"

"Really? And what sort might that be—a petulant eremite who would reject his family heritage for the privilege of currying favor with the likes of Harry Potter?"

"Good day, Mother." Draco disapparated, leaving Narcissa standing alone.

Summer 2019—Number Twelve Grimmauld Place

"Why not?" Albus Potter demanded.

"I don't think I like your tone, Albus." Harry Potter gave his younger son a stern look.

"But Dad, she just said 'no'!" Albus insisted. "Why can't I go? He'll be all alone!"

"He won't be all alone, Al. Stop being dramatic, and finish your meal. They'll be here soon!" Albus slouched in his chair. His older brother, James, and younger sister, Lily looked from him to their parents as if they were watching a tennis match.

"I'm not hungry," he muttered.

"Listen, Al. Your mother and I are still processing this friendship you have with Scorpius. We just don't know if it is advisable for you to attend his mother's funeral," said Harry. He sliced his roast and took a bite.

"That's not fair! He's my best mate! What if you were my age and Gran had died?" Albus stated. Ginny inhaled sharply. "Wouldn't you want to be there?"

"It's not the same," his mother replied.

"How?"

"Because Gran's the closest thing I've ever had to a Mum," said Harry.

"Eat, Albus!" Ginny admonished him again.

"I said I'm not hungry."

"Well, you're not going to twist your aunt and uncle's arms to buy you a ton of junk food at the cinema," she said.

"I don't even want to go!"

"Al—" Harry began.

"I don't! Rosie's just going to give me the cold shoulder and make snarky remarks about me being a Slytherin and Scorpius being my friend! She's so rude! Scorpius has been nothing but nice to her—I think he might fancy her, actually." James stifled a laugh. He glared at him. "What?"

"Malfoy does not fancy Rose!" James stated, emphatically. "That's hardly why he's being kind to her." He smirked.

"Well—whatever!" Albus decided not to engage his brother. Although James wasn't mean to Scorpius, he wasn't exactly nice either, and he decided that arguing with him would not help his case just now. "Please, Mum, Dad! Scorpius asked me to come! He says his father gave him permission and everything! "

There was a soft gong, alerting them to the floo.

"They're here," Harry announced, getting to his feet.

"You kids run along, and get cleaned up," said Ginny. James and Lily hurriedly left the table. Albus continued to slouch sullenly.

"Albus."

"I don't want to go." Albus stood and began to clear the table. As he edged past his father to get to the sink, Harry laid a hand on his arm.

"Al—"

"Please, Dad. What if it had been your mum? Uncle Ron would have moved heaven and earth to be there," he quietly pleaded. Harry sighed heavily.

"I'm not making any promises, but I'll talk to your mother about it."

The following week, Scorpius Malfoy sprinted down the lane between the hedgerows at Malfoy Manor and threw his arms around his best friend when he appeared with his father. The two young wizards held tightly to one another's hand as Astoria Malfoy was laid to rest at the base of the domed folly where she and her husband had been married.

August 2021

The security guard kept his eyes trained upon the teenager with the pale hair as he moved about the shopping center, and radioed the loss prevention personnel on the floor.

"I've got a teen male in Oasis, fellas. Be prepared to apprehend on my call. Looks to be about fourteen to fifteen years old. Blond hair—possibly white—these kids today! Yep, he's just picked up a number of shirts and placed them in a rucksack. He's just left the store. Follow him. Looks like he's headed for the street."

The two guards kept a safe distance from the teen as they followed him towards the main level of the shopping center. One gestured for the other to take a different route and cut the boy off at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hang on, mate," the first guard called out, jogging a step forward and touching the boy's shoulder. "Get lots of shopping done then?" The boy turned and looked at him with disdain.

"I might have done."

"Got any receipts?" asked another guard as he cut off the exit.

"Beg your pardon?"

"Did you pay for your items, son?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Do you see me with any purchases?"

"What's in the bag?" The second guard reached for the young man's backpack.

"That's nothing of your concern!" the boy replied, tersely.

"Okay, well you'll have to come with us then." The guard gestured for the boy to accompany him. The boy backed away tugging at a necklace inside his collar.

"This way now, lad. Let's not make a scene," said the other guard, stepping towards him.

"No." The boy smiled, fingering the ring that hung from the chain a second before he disappeared into thin air leaving the two men and nearby shoppers completely bewildered.

Scorpius landed in the large fountain in the front garden of Malfoy Manor with a splash, having misjudged his landing by a few feet. He stepped out of the water with a laugh and an expression of amusement which quickly disappeared when his father suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Arificus." Draco cast a drying spell upon his son and pointed towards the grand house. "My study, now!" he growled. Scorpius heaved a sigh and marched sullenly ahead of his father.

He was stunned to find Harry Potter seated in one of the chairs before the desk, when they entered the study a few moments later.

"Mr. Potter! Fancy seeing you here!" Scorpius looked around. "Did Albus come with you?"

"I'm afraid not, Scorpius," Harry replied. "This isn't a social call."

"Indeed it isn't!" Draco growled. "Sit!"

"What's going on?" Scorpius asked.

"Potter?" Draco gestured for Harry to speak, and he went to the window, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Scorpius, a theft occurred today at the Angel Central Shopping Centre in Islington."

"Really?" Scorpius asked. "You didn't have to come all this way just to inform us, you know. We do have a subscription to The Prophet."

"Now is not the time for cheek, Scorpius!" Draco snapped, turning from the window.

"I think you are well aware that is not the reason for my visit, Scorpius," Harry replied. Scorpius pulled a nonplussed expression, and he continued. "At approximately the same time, the DMLE received an alert of underage magic in the store's vicinity." Scorpius began to bite his lip. He clutched the strap of his bag. Harry gave him a look. "One of our Aurors obtained CCTV footage and a young man fitting your description was seen, placing merchandise from several shops into a rucksack before appearing to disapparate when confronted by security."

"What were you doing in a muggle shop, Scorpius?" Draco demanded. "Is that what all of this is about?" he gestured at the graphic tee shirt, trainers, and modern trousers he wore. "You've been stealing! And since when do you know how to apparate? You haven't even attained the age of licensure!"

"I used a portkey," Scorpius confessed.

"Oh, brilliant!" Draco threw his hands into the air. "Where is it?" Scorpius shrugged, not meeting his father's eyes. "And Potter tells me this isn't the first time!"

"I—" Scorpius gave Harry a look of mutinous surprise. He thought he'd gotten away with his escapades.

"I covered for you before, because I know that young witches and wizards are prone to rebellion from time to time, but due to the value of the goods, as well as the unauthorized portkey and clear violation of the Statute of Secrecy, it simply can't be overlooked, Scorpius. This pattern of behavior has done little to persuade me that Albus should be allowed to spend time with you."

"All this time! All this time, you'd have had me believe that the muggle attire and artefacts were Potter's influence! Gifts! I am appalled, Scorpius. Appalled!"

"Malfoy—Draco—" Harry was about to begin a well-rehearsed speech on remaining calm when dealing with youth, but Draco gave him a withering glare that clearly indicated he had no intention of taking parenting advice from his childhood nemesis. "Ah, right—erm—now then, Scorpius, I'll have to seize the items that you took. The Wizengamot Office of Juvenile Affairs will convene a hearing in two weeks' time to determine what—if any—disciplinary action will be taken." Harry took possession of the stolen apparel, and Draco saw him to the gate.

"I'm really sorry about all of this, Malfoy. I did try to explain the situation to the presiding Polemarch—"

"Situation?" Draco gave him a bemused look. "What situation?"

"Well, honestly, it's not terribly unusual for youth who have had a—a…loss…to—"

"The time for grieving has come and gone, Potter. Scorpius' behavior is inexcusable, and he must face the consequences of his actions. Thank you for the courtesy of not taking him into custody. I assure you that he will appear at the appointed time and date." Draco gave him a slight bow, and Harry knew that he had been dismissed.

"Well, erm…" he couldn't think of anything to say. "If there is anything I can assist you with, just send an owl, or floo me at home, if you like. Scorpius has our address."

Draco gave another curt nod, and Harry stepped through the gate to disapparate.