Harry Potter belongs to J.K Rowling
Scorpius Malfoy couldn't stop pacing the length of the conservatory, feeling a surge of hopelessness; This was a disaster. Worse than a disaster, it was a complete and utter catastrophe! How was he going to find the courage to tell his Dad about his relationship with Albus?
It had been a week now since he had been home and he still hadn't told Draco about his relationship. Both he and Albus had promised one another that they would tell their parents about their relationship. If Scorpius didn't tell his Dad now, how could he look his Boyfriend in the eye?
If only his Mother were here. He could tell her anything. Would she be happy for him? Scorpius was sure she would. Yet the problem was telling his Father. Scorpius wasn't sure how he would react.
Would he be angry? Would he be disappointed in Scorpius? Would he forbid Scorpius from seeing Albus and force Scorpius to go out with a girl?
Scorpius wasn't sure if he could handle that. No one could ever replace Albus. Scorpius loved him with all his heart and he hoped his Father could accept Albus as his Boyfriend as much as he did when Albus his best friend. (Although Albus was still his best friend and will always be.)
Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about Albus. He'll have to tell his Father about them. He owed it to Albus, he couldn't let him down.
"Scorpius, is there any reason why you're pacing the length of the conservatory?" Draco's voice rang out, causing Scorpius to leap a foot in the air.
"Dad!" He squeaked. "You made me jump! I wasn't expecting you to be here. I thought you were in your Office."
"I could see you from the window," Draco said. "And to be honest, you looked rather stressed."
"Oh," Scorpius said simply, feeling stumped. "That makes sense. Maybe I should've gone in the Ballroom. I wouldn't have disturbed you then and you would've been able to get on with your work. It is rather hot in here, isn't it? Well it is a rather sunny day and I haven't spotted any clouds yet except for one in the shape of a fish which I found to be slightly strange and slightly nauseating even though I- "
"Are you alright, Scorpius?" Draco asked worriedly. "You're rambling. What's wrong?"
"Wrong?" Scorpius asked, his panic rising. "Nothing's wrong, Dad. All fine and dandy here for me. I was just getting some exercise because walking is really good for you. I know I should do it outside, but I love it in here. Do you think- "
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong? Or are you going to continue rambling?" Draco asked with a firm edge to his voice, causing Scorpius to stop his babbling.
"I-I do have something to tell you," Scorpius stammered. "I've been meaning to tell you this for a while, now and I've been putting it off."
Draco's face softened and he stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on Scorpius's shoulder.
"Come on, son," He said gently. "Let's sit down and talk."
He led Scorpius to the sofas next to the large windows that showed the magnificent gardens of Malfoy Manor. In the distance, Scorpius could see a number of birds splashing about in the bird bath.
"Would you like some Pumpkin juice?" Draco asked and Scorpius nodded, his throat feeling rather dry. Draco, with a flick of his wand, sent a tray with a jug of Pumpkin juice zooming into the conservatory and landed on the glass coffee table with a soft clatter.
Draco poured out a glass of Pumpkin juice for himself and Scorpius and both of them sipped it for a while, both looking out the window and watching the birds.
"So, what is it that you have to tell me, Scorpius?" Draco asked, putting down his glass.
Scorpius froze, wishing that he had more time to steel himself before telling Draco.
"Well, the thing is, Dad, I'm sort of with someone," Scorpius said awkwardly, playing with his fingers. He glanced up at Draco who tensed and his expression became unreadable.
"You're in a relationship?" He asked uncertainly.
"Yes," Scorpius nodded, fiddling with his glass. "For a while now. I've been very happy with them and everything."
"So, who's the fortunate girl to have won my Son's heart?" Draco asked with a strained smile.
"I-I'm not going out with a girl," Scorpius squeaked, feeling very panicky all of a sudden. "It's an Albus! I mean, I'm going out with Albus, my best friend Albus. I've been going out with him for a while now."
He had done it; he had told his Father that he was going out with Albus and now all he had to do was wait and see Draco react.
Unless Scorpius's eyes were playing tricks on him, Draco looked as if he were relieved.
"So, let me get this straight," Draco said slowly. "You're telling me that you're currently in a relationship with Albus, your best friend?"
"Yes," Scorpius said at once. "The whole thing. Hand holding, kissing, romantic walks in the moonlight,"
"Sex?" Draco asked with a small smirk.
"Dad!" Scorpius exclaimed, his face turning bright red.
"Sorry," Draco said hastily, trying to hide his smile.
"There's more to our relationship than Sex," Scorpius said, glaring at Draco. "Much, much more. Albus and I have decided to take things slowly. We haven't even done anything like that yet."
"Well, at least that you're both being sensible together," Draco smiled. "Are you happy with Albus?"
"I am," Scorpius said at once, his face melting into a soppy smile. "He's really good to me, Dad. He's always there for me and he makes me happy and I can't stop laughing when he does something silly and I love him with all my heart."
Draco nodded approvingly and if Scorpius was not mistaken, there was a hint of relief in his eyes which seemed to shine brighter than normal.
"It's good that you're happy together," Draco said quietly. "That's the important thing. I'm also pleased that it's not the Granger-Weasley girl."
"What's wrong with Rose?" Scorpius frowned, bewildered.
"I don't think she would've been right for you," Draco said evasively. "Plus I don't think I could stand having Ronald Weasley as an in-law. And you're happier with Albus and I think Albus is a far better match for you."
"Wait a minute, Dad," Scorpius said. "Have you been hoping that I'd get together with Albus?"
Draco shifted in his seat before taking a sip of Pumpkin juice.
"I have. I've seen how much you two shine when you are together, Scorpius," He said. "I've seen with my own two eyes how Albus makes you happy, how he makes you shine brighter than the sun. That boy thinks the world of you."
"I know," Scorpius smiled, thinking about the Summer days he had spent with Albus in the Hogwarts grounds where Albus had eyes only for Scorpius. The memory warmed Scorpius's insides as he thought of Albus's brilliant green eyes sparkling with so much love and affection at that moment.
"So, you're okay with me being together with Albus?" Scorpius asked, reluctantly snapping out of the memory.
"That boy befriended you when no one else would," Draco said with a fierce note in his voice. "He came to your Mother's funeral to comfort you, he has been there for you when I couldn't and I've seen how much he has made you happy. You spoke about him constantly that first Christmas home from Hogwarts and quite frankly, you've never stopped speaking about him. Of course I'm okay about your relationship. I'm more than okay, I'm ecstatic."
"You are?" Scorpius blinked, not sure if he believed what he was hearing.
"I am," Draco said. "If you are asking for my blessing for your relationship with Albus, then you have it wholeheartedly."
Scorpius felt a huge surge of relief that made him feel slightly lightheaded.
"Well, that's great," He laughed. "I'm glad you approve. That's saved me a lot of worry, because I've been worrying a lot about what you thought. Your opinion means a lot to me, Dad and I'm happy that you're happy because that makes me very happy. Does that make sense?"
"I think it does," Draco said with a smile. "You know, your Mother was my best friend," He said suddenly and Scorpius looked at him.
"Really?" Scorpius asked and Draco nodded slowly.
"Yes. It was after the war," Draco said, a faraway look in his eyes. "I had nothing and I was in a depression so deep, that I thought that I might as well be in Azkaban with a thousand Dementors. But she came to me, your Mother. She smiled at me and treated me as a person whereas other people would treat me as a monster. For the first time in my life, I had someone who I could truly confide in. The days I spent with her were the best days of my life. It was as if I were living the life of someone else. I fell in love with her and the rest, as they say, is history."
"You got married and had me," Scorpius grinned at Draco before turning back to his Pumpkin juice.
"I was nervous about telling my parents about my relationship with your Mother," Draco said quietly. "And your Grandfather didn't take the news too well, I'm afraid. I don't want you to feel that you can't tell me anything."
"Thank you," Scorpius said. "I feel much better now I've told you. I don't know why I was panicking about telling you. I suppose it was probably because Albus isn't a girl and I doubt we would ever have children and I know that you and Mum went to great lengths in order to have me."
"Scorpius," Draco said firmly. "It doesn't matter to me if you have children or not. Your Mother and I had you for us, and the choices you make are your own. Besides, you're too young to worry about having children at any rate. Focus on your studies because they're more important, but if the Malfoy line were to die with you, it would end on the highest note possible and that brings me more comfort than anything else."
Scorpius felt tears prick at the corner of his eyes.
"That- That's a nice thing to say," He sniffled, as he felt an overwhelming feeling of acceptance that caused his tears to spill down his cheeks. He wiped them with his sleeve as Draco got up and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"I'm proud of you, Scorpius," Draco said softly. "For making your own choices, and I fully trust that Albus will take care of you. You don't have to worry about me interfering in your relationship."
"Thanks, Dad," Scorpius said as he hugged Draco. Draco wrapped his arms around Scorpius before pulling back.
"It's a nice day out there," He said. "How about we go for a walk? We can get some Ice Cream if you want."
"That definitely sounds like a plan," Scorpius said. "Can I get Chocolate?"
"I don't see why not," Draco chuckled as he sent the tray of Pumpkin juice away with the flick of his wand.
As they walked down the lane, Scorpius felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He only hoped that Albus had a similar success.
The next chapter should be up tomorrow.