A/N: Thank you to Tenshi Yami – Angel of Darkness, my first reviewer of this story and a thank you to, xxxwallflowerxxx and iggle731.

Chapter Two

Harry couldn't understand why Scorpius was so determined not to listen. If Harry could convince Scorpius to listen to Draco's side of the story – he was sure Scorpius would want to have a relationship with his dad.

Harry had a free period and he marked some essay's, once complete he went to dinner, he was one of the first to arrive.

Draco came in fifteen minutes after he did, "Finally it is Friday night" Draco groaned, as he plated himself some dinner.

Harry felt guilty, he didn't know if he should tell Draco he spoke to Scorpius. But then Draco might get angry at Harry, for sticking his nose in. So he kept quiet and said nothing about Scorpius.

"Yes Fridays are always a welcome sight, especially the first week of term. What are you planning on doing this weekend?" Harry only casually asked, but a part of him was interested.

Draco looked like he was thinking for a moment, "Most likely marking essays, writing lesson plans, organising the store cupboard and maybe sleeping. Pretty boring really" he unenthusiastically replied.

Harry noticed Draco hadn't glanced over at Scorpius as much as he usually did. Most likely because of their argument.

Harry wanted Draco to have someone he could talk to, so he found himself saying, "Well I will be marking too, you wanna come over to my quarters and we can mark together? At least we won't be on our own."

Draco blinked a few times, shook his head a fraction, "Sorry. I think I misheard you. You invited me over yours?" Draco asked unsure, he couldn't believe Potter was acting as if they were all buddy buddy.

Harry casually ate some dinner, shrugged, "Sure why not? It's only marking" he was trying not to sound disappointed that Draco didn't seem interested. He was being ridiculous. Ginny and he divorced six years ago and he had been a teacher for four of those six years. He missed having adult company – it was not because he found Draco alluring and wanted to engage him in deeper conversation.

Harry and Ginny's divorce was amicable and they parted as friends. Deciding it was a better environment for the kids if their parents were separated but on speaking terms. Then if they were together, not speaking and arguing, until they split and hated each other. It was about two years ago that Harry discovered he was attracted to men as well as women.

A new muggles professor was appointed and he was a very attractive and funny man. Harry and he became fast friends, and soon things changed to a romantic nature. He and Darren dated for the remainder of the school year, but then Darren handed in his notice and left. The only explanation he gave Harry was, he had a family emergency and couldn't stay. He didn't want a long distance relationship. He was a muggle and was out of his depth in the wizarding world.

Harry struggled at first, he missed Darren. But he soon got over him and dated a few other men, but none stayed around long enough to have a long term relationship with.

Ginny was shocked when she first found out Harry was bi-sexual, well he thought he was more likely gay as he seemed to be attracted to men and not women at the moment. But then he married Ginny and had three kids, so he can't be completely gay.

Everyone handled it well and accepted it, he knew his friends and family would support him no matter what.

Harry watched as Draco's thought about the invitation. He noted that he was very much attracted to the blonde, he was a very good looking man. He had an aura about him, that enchanted you and you just had to know more about him. He wondered why he never noticed at school, then he mentally slapped himself. He noticed at school, everyone knew Draco was handsome, but he was obsessed with Draco Malfoy – just never realised what it meant before.

Draco cleared his throat, "Sure why not. If you're willing to offer the olive branch, then I am willing to accept it" he voice showed no emotion and Harry wondered how he could always be so calm.

Harry beamed at him, "That's great. So you want to come over after dinner?" his grin not leaving his face.

Draco smiled back at the grinning man, "Sure. Walk to my quarters with me, so I can collect the essays, and then we can go back to yours" he returned his attention to his dinner, forcing the grin off his face. He didn't want Harry to see how happy he was.

Al was watching his dad at the staff table, he seemed to be having a happy conversation with Professor Malfoy and he kept smiling and looking at him.

Al nudged Scorpius, "Dad seems to be friendly with your dad- I mean Draco" he added on the end at the look from his best friend.

Scorpius looked up at the staff table and grumbled, "Don't know why he would want to be friends with an ex-death eater and bastard. Maybe Draco is using him, if he befriends Harry Potter, then others might look at him differently" Scorpius suggested.

He knew Draco was gay and he hoped that he wasn't going to use Al's dad. He knew he was gay, because his mother told him all about his dad. He was only three when they divorced, his mother said she was very much in love with him and was thinking about having another baby, when she caught him in bed with a man. She said she was outraged, that was a year before the divorce. She told him that she had tried to forgive him and move on. But in that year Draco treated her badly and continued his affair with a man, he continued his bad behaviour, taking it out on her.

He would ask about his dad quite a bit growing up and his mother would enlighten him on what type of man he was. As he got a bit older his mother told him all about Draco's involvement in the war and that he was a death eater. She said as he was starting school soon he needed to be prepared for the bullying about it. He had many people, from classmates, to his mother, family and strangers willing to inform him how much of a bastard his dad was. Everyone hated him, and growing up in that hate had caused him to hate him too.

The more his mother told him, the more he hated Draco. His mother said he never bothered trying to see Scorpius growing up and then when Scorpius was old enough he said he didn't want to see him. So when Draco tried to arrange contacted his mother refused.

He hated his dad, because he cheated on his mother, he cheated on her with a man – he wasn't homophobic, it just upset his mother more – so it upset him more. He hated him because he walked out of their lives without even a second glance, he abandoned him and didn't bother to send birthday or Christmas cards and presents, he hated him because he was an ex-death eater and he had to share his last name. People would treat him differently just because of Draco's actions and he hated it. He hated everything about the man, and now he has the nerve to turn up at school and try and use Harry Potter. Wanker.

Al frowned, "No I think dad knew him at school and well I guess they are sort of friends now. Don't worry about Scorpius, I'm sure it's nothing" he tried to pacify him.

Scorpius watched as Draco and Mr Potter left the hall together. He would definitely keep an eye on them – nothing Draco did was good.

Harry waited outside Draco's rooms, he didn't want to barge in. Draco wasn't gone long, he grabbed a stack of parchment and a quill then returned.

They walked to Harry's teacher quarters, "Um you'll have to excuse the mess, I wasn't expecting company when I left this morning" he sheepishly said.

Draco smirked, "Always had you down as a messy person" and he followed Harry into the living room. It was about the same size as his rooms. The main room was a large living room and kitchen in one - open plan. Then there was a door that led to one large bedroom and en-suite. Just two rooms, a desk was set up in the living room like in his own quarters.

"Pretty basic but they are suitable enough" Harry answered as Draco looked around

"It's not that untidy" Draco offered, well yes it was compared to his quarters, but not dirty messy, just lived in.

Harry grinned impishly, "Ginny used to say I was worse than the kids for my untidiness" he chuckled.

"One of the many things we argued about before the divorce" he sobered at that, but still smiled.

Harry moved a pile of clothes off the sofa and indicate for Draco to sit, "What would you like to drink?" Harry asked, as Draco settled himself and his notes on the sofa.

"Anything alcoholic" he sounded as if he needed it

Harry grabbed two beers, handed one to Draco and sat on the floor opposite Draco. His own essays for marking on the coffee table, he used it as a sort of desk. "Bad week huh?" he asked, wondering why he would want an alcoholic drink.

"No not really, teaching wise, I had a great week. Just um some personal matters, that's all" and he looked away from Harry's questioning gaze.

Harry didn't want to push Draco for answers, he hoped once they became friends Draco would share his problems voluntarily.

"So I was going ask you but I forgot. Do you want to coach quidditch with me?" he blurted trying to get Draco to forget his issues with Scorpius.

Draco snickered, "Us working together and not competing against each other? Well that certainly would be different. Okay, sure." He had always liked quidditch and to help coach it would be nice.

"How would that work though as I'm the head of Slytherin and you are the head of Gryffindor?" he asked curious.

Harry smiled, "I don't just coach Gryffindor. I offer coaching to anyone who is interested. All houses work together and just practice their skills. Also I am in talks with the headmistress, to try and get an international school quidditch championship up and running. You know pick the best from each house and make one school team, to compete against other schools and teams. Still in the pipeline though" he didn't know why he was nervous at voicing his idea to Draco.

Draco brightened and beamed at Harry, "You know that's actually a good idea. You can play home or away, pick the best of the best. I bet Hogwarts would wipe the floor with the competition" and Harry found himself feeling pleasantly surprised and happy that Draco said it was a good idea.

"I though McGonagall would like it, because in encourages inner house co-operation and all that" then he grinned, "Mind you it would be difficult to choose, as both James and Al are seekers for their house teams" he shook his head, knowing he wouldn't want to have to choose.

Draco shrugged, "Maybe choose both, they can share the role. Or pick James as he is older and Al can play once James graduates?" he suggested, unsure how he would actually deal with the fall out of that decision.

"Maybe. Dunno if it will be up and running for some time yet anyway." Harry pulled the stack of essays towards him and began reading.

Marking was very tedious, as you were reading the same topic over and over, just worded differently. Or in some cases exactly same, as it was copied word for word from a book. He frowned and scribbled across a 7th years essay, 'This is actually plagiarism, copied straight from a book. You need to cite your sources and acknowledge the person, whose opinion this actually is. It would be good if you could give your own views on the matter as well. Re-do, or you will receive a fail" shaking his head.

Draco glanced at the huge red paragraph Harry had scribbled on the essay. "Gee now who's being the ball breaker" he joked.

Harry smiled, "Oh this is Johnson, he's a seventh year. Always copying from text books and claiming it as his own work. You might know him, seeing as he is Slytherin" and Harry grinned, knowing Draco wouldn't miss the fact Harry assumed that cheating was a Slytherin thing to do.

Draco rolled his eyes, "If he was going to cheat, you'd think he'd have common sense to change it slightly. Fool."

Draco had frozen and was staring at an essay in front of him, "Draco? What's wrong? Found a potions essay from Johnson have you? I did tell you he copies" Harry tried to lighten the mood.

Draco blinked and glanced at Harry, "What? No I'm marking the third year essays" and Harry knew that the essay he was probably looking at was Scorpius'.

"Oh. So Al has messed up his potions or Rose has shocked you with her knowledge and abilities?" he tried to get Draco to talk and not stare at the essay.

Draco gave a small sad smile, "No I've marked Al's, he did okay. Must have got help from Rose, very similar to hers, just a few words changed and a lot shorter. Rose's essay was brilliant, just too long and a bit over the top."

He then looked at the essay and then at Harry, obviously trying to decide whether he should tell Harry. "Sorry. It's Scorpius' essay, I just…I have never really seen his hand writing before. It's weird to see these things after so many years" he sighed and read through the essay, correcting a few things and awarding Scorpius a good grade – E = Exceeds expectations.

Harry thought it must be weird to know nothing about your own child, "Why…um why haven't you seen his hand writing before?" Harry knew but wanted Draco to tell him.

Draco put the essay's to one side, took a swig of his drink, "Long, long story. Short version Astoria and I divorced when Scorpius was three. She demanded fall custody and I took her to court, however custody was awarded in full to her. I got supervised visits, but she would never be available or would cancel whenever I arranged to see him. The months turned to years, I tried seeing him but she ignored my owls, my calls and she even moved and refused to give me their address"

He surprised Harry by siding off the sofa and joining Harry sat on the floor, he could now met Harry's gaze at the same level, "I tried to appeal for joint custody twice, but both times I was refused and by the time Scorpius was old enough to decide, he had been brainwashed against me"

Harry couldn't believe a mother would do that, no matter what, Draco was still his dad, and he deserved to know his son. "I can only imagine the awful and false things she has told him. I saw him a few times when he was younger, but not for long. Basically I haven't been a part of his life since he was three, ten years" he looked sad and disappointed.

"That's awful Draco, it really is. Ginny and I ended our relationship as friends and we share custody and we are both very much a part of our children's lives" he handed Draco another beer, Draco having downed his last one.

"Ten years. So many things I missed and can never get back. To be honest I took this job to be closer to him, it was the only thing I could think of to see him. He hates me Harry, he really hates me" and he sounded vulnerable and hurt.

Harry moved and sat next to Draco, back against the sofa and their shoulders almost touching, Harry put a hand on Draco's knee, "He doesn't hate you. He hates who he thinks you are, but that's not you, not the real you. He hates the Draco Malfoy that everyone else has told him about. If he sees the real you, I'm sure he wouldn't hate you" he hoped he had helped.

Draco started at Harry's hand on his knee, Harry was being friendly and nice to him, and he actually liked it. It was weird having Harry defend him, but he didn't exactly have many people willing to jump to his defence, so he would accept Harry's support.

"Maybe" Draco said, "But what people have been telling him is nothing but the truth" he hated that his wrong decisions were still effecting his future and his relationship with his son.

"Yes it's the truth, but only one version of the truth. All the bad bits and none of the reasons why or any of the good bits. You're not a bad person Draco, I never blamed you for your decisions you made. You did what you had to do and there is more to it then, you being a death eater." He smiled at him.

Draco moved his hair out of his face, "Thank you Harry, to hear you of all people say that, it means a lot" and he smiled at Harry.

Harry blushed, Draco's face was quite close to his and seeing his smile up close, was something else – it was mesmerising.

"I'm sure that all the people bad mouthing you, not one of them said that you didn't give me away to the snatcher, or your mother pretended I was dead, or you were forced into taking the dark mark…. So many sides to it, it's not a simple case of, you're a death eater therefore your evil"

He laughed, "I should know. I always judged Snape on his dark mark and what I had heard about him. I never took the time to actually know him and in the end, he was a good guy. I will always regret not giving him a chance, instead I listened to old grudges and jumped to incorrect conclusions" he swallowed the lump in his throat, he always got emotional thinking of Snape.

"You know, Al's full name is Albus Severus" he said remorsefully, thinking of the two former headmasters.

Draco arched an eyebrow, "I knew about the Albus part, but Severus as his middle name" then Draco laughed, "I'm sure Snape would love to have his name linked to a Potter" and he snorted.

Harry laughed too, "He acts all sneering and rude, but in fact I think he's pleased. I spoke to his portrait and we cleared the air somewhat, not completely. Like I said he still sneers and is a rude slimy git, but I think some of the things he says, even though mean, are his way of showing affection" and he smiled at the memory of some of the conversations he had with his portrait.

"What convinced you that Snape was a good man?" Draco asked

Harry stood, "If I'm going to tell you that story, then I think we need to move onto the strong stuff" and he returned with a bottle of fire whisky.

"Snape would probably find a way to hex me through his portrait if he knew I was telling you this, but he never said I couldn't tell anyone. I just kept it to myself."

Draco and Harry moved to the sofa and Draco watched and listened to Harry, giving him his full attention. "I guess for Snape it all started when he met my mother"

Draco frowned, but remained silent, "He lived near her and he met her when they were young, before Hogwarts. They became close friends and they soon realised that they were both magical. They were both given letters from Hogwarts and my mum, she was a Gryffindor and well obviously Snape was a Slytherin. I think it went downhill when my dad and his friends came onto the scene. My dad was a bit of a bully. Him and his friends, Sirius mainly, would bully and pick on Snape"

Harry sighed, remembering the things he saw, "I think that's why he hates me, as I look a lot like my dad. Snape had become a death eater, but switched sides early on, to be a spy for the order of the phoenix. He…he loved my mum I think and when she was murdered it hurt him badly. He remained a spy to help me and the wizarding world"

"I – I was there when he died, I saw the whole thing. Before dying, Snape released a cloud of memories and told me to take them. Later I took the memories to the Pensive in Dumbledore's office. From these memories, I learned all about Snape's past."

Draco looked pale and shocked, "You saw him die" and Harry nodded.

"Yes. Voldemort thought he was the master of the elder wand. He set Nagini on him. Nagini killed Snape by sinking her fangs into him. It was awful and I watched him die, he gave me his memories" Harry's hand was shaking slightly, remembering the moment that Snape died.

"I think Snape felt devastating pain and remorse when Lily – that's mum, when she was found and killed. From that point on, he agreed to help Dumbledore protect me and fight against Lord Voldemort. Snape demanded, however, that his feelings about my mum was kept a secret. Dumbledore complied and never told anyone the real reason why Snape switched sides."

He looked at his fire whisky and downed it, pouring himself another one, as Draco downed his own and handed his empty glass to Harry for a top up.

"Because of the memories, I finally understood where Snape's true allegiances always were. He also showed me some other memories about Dumbledore and his death. I always thought Snape was evil and that he murdered Dumbledore, but he didn't murder him, he killed him yes but not murdered him. I think that's a story for another time though. He also showed me memories of conversation he had with Dumbledore and these memories helped me defeat Voldemort" he downed his second fire whisky, "He helped me win the war".

Draco had too downed his second fire whisky, hearing Harry talking about Dumbledore and his death was a sore subject to him. Harry did say that was a story for another time, and he knew they would talk about it and be honest and open about it.

Draco looked at Harry, "It's nice having someone to talk to, we can lay all our cards on the table and it won't change anything. If anything it will improve things, we can understand each other and our actions more. Talking about the war with you, might actually help me move on from it and I think I'd like that" he sincerely said as his grey eyes looked Harry over.

"Sixth year was a very difficult year for me and I've never really spoken about it, I think when you tell me about your and Snape's involvement in Dumbledore's death, I will talk to you about my experiences. I think we will help each other Harry, I think this is what we both need." He shivered at the memory of pointing his wand at Dumbledore.

"Yes I think it is. I haven't really sat and openly and honestly spoken to anyone about all the things that happened. I'd like to have someone to speak to about it, maybe the nightmares will stop" and he laughed a humourless laugh.

Draco knew that feeling, he still would wake occasionally, dreaming of the muggles teacher in the manor and Luna in the dungeons, many, many awful haunting memories.

Even though the conversation had turned to the war and the subject was sad and hard to talk about, both were glad that they were talking about it. "Draco, I've never told anyone the details of me seeing Snape die"

Draco blinked in surprise, "Yet you told me?" he asked astonished

Harry smiled at him, "Yet I told you. It feels right, I hope you don't mind" he was worried that Draco would find it too depressing and not want to talk with Harry again

Draco covered Harry's hand with his, "I don't mind, it's refreshing to speak the truth, no matter the consequences. Like you said it feels right, maybe we can meet every Friday night, get wasted on fire whisky and just talk. I think there is a lot I don't know about you Harry, a lot more to you, I never gave you enough credit" he squeezed his hand and let it go.

They then spent the rest of the evening getting drunk and talking about their memories of Snape and doing impressions of him. Draco passed out on Harry's sofa and Harry managed to drunkenly stumble to his bed, passing out, on top the covers – fully clothed.

He woke the next day with a pounding headache, he stumbled to the bathroom, downed some water and took a hangover potion. Then he heard a loud and audible groan and, "Ah shit my fucking head" and he laughed as he knew Draco must be feeling it too.

He grabbed another hangover potion and went to the living room. He handed Draco the potion and smirked as the blond looked slightly dishevelled, he didn't look scruffy or bad – in fact the dishevelled look suited him.

He grunted his thanks, rubbing his temple with his long slender fingers. "Maybe next time we should stick to the beer" Harry joked.

"How can you be so chirpy?" Draco gruffly asked

Harry was thinking the same thing, normally he was a grumpy git when hung-over, but seeing Draco suffering and dishevelled had lightened his mood, "Dunno" he answered.

Draco downed the potion, pulled a face and then looked at Harry. "So much for doing marking. Bad influence you are?"

Harry laughed, "Sorry" he said around his snickers.

Draco frowned, "I can't be around you when you're being this happy, I'm tired, hung-over, sore from sleeping on the damn sofa and I'm stinky and hungry" he picked up his essays and turned to face Harry once more, "I'm going back to mine to shower. I'll see you in the great hall for breakfast" and he left without saying goodbye.

Harry grinned and headed to have a shower himself.

On his way to breakfast Harry was stopped by Al. "Dad? You look a bit peaky – you ill?" his son was concerned for him.

Harry smiled, "No I'm fine Al. Just stayed up late and I'm tired and hungry" he explained.

"Are you and Professor Malfoy friend's dad?"

Harry wondered why his son would suddenly bring that up, "Yes I guess we are"

Scorpius joined Al and snorted at Harry. "Problem Scorpius" Harry asked

"What, me. No. No Problem" and he pulled Al away and into the great hall.

Al sat next to Scorpius as always, "I think you should maybe talk to my dad about Draco. He of all people will know about the war. Maybe dads right, it's not as black and white as your mum makes it out to be" he reasoned, his dad was a good judge of character and if he was friends with Draco, then he trusted his dads judgement.

Scorpius snapped his head around, "Are you my friend?" he icily asked

Al's eyes widened, "What? Yeah of course, your best friend" he declared

Scorpius held his chin up, "Then act like it Al" and he ate his breakfast and said no more.

Al always thought that Scorpius could be a right diva, he had full scale tantrums and he acted so spoiled and arrogant. But that was only a small part of him, Scorpius was such a good friend, the best and Al would try and understand, why he was behaving the way he was towards his dad.

Draco grumbled and moaned throughout breakfast, "I'm 39 not 19, I cannot drink that much and jump up in the morning all bright eyed and bushy tailed" he whined to Harry.

Harry was feeling loads better, "Ah nonsense, just need to get used to consuming that much alcohol, once you get the tolerance for it – you'd be alright"

Draco sneered, "You sound like an alcoholic Potter"

Harry smirked, "Nah you drive me to drink" and he laughed as Draco scowled at him.

The weekend flew by and Harry was rushing to finish his marking before his lessons tomorrow. He had given Draco his space, even though he had the urge to spend every available moment with him. They had agreed to meet every Friday night and he would have to settle for that, for now.

Draco once again had double position with the fourth years and once again had to deal with James Potter and Fred Weasley being talkative and disruptive. He sighed, he was still feeling tired from the weekend.

"Potter I suggest you stop making moony eyes at, Zabini and do some work" he snapped, after catching James stare at Blaise's daughter for the third time.

James blushed and scrunched up his nose, "What I wasn't looking Zabini, she's a Slytherin, I have taste" and he high fived Fred.

"Five points from Gryffindor for answering back when I didn't ask a question. Oh and Mr Potter, I'd refrain from insulting Slytherin's, or Miss Zabini for that matter, I have heard she knows a few hexes that would put you on your back, in the hospital wing for a week" and he smiled at Zara Zabini.

James grumbled and Draco heard Weasley whisper too loudly to James, "I bet you wouldn't mind being led on your back around Zabini" and he nudged him and wiggled his eyebrows

"Sod off Fred, I don't fancy her" and Fred snorted, "Yeah sounds an awful lot like denial my friend" he said patting is back.

James huffed and was quite for the remainder of the lesson. Draco remembered the days when all he cared about was homework, Hogsmeade and who had a crush on who – Merlin that was a long time ago.

At the end of the class he saw Zara walk up to James and give him a stern telling off, hand on hip and other hand pointing a finger in his face. Draco smirked, she obviously liked James too.

He stayed in his classroom for morning break and just enjoyed the quite. A sixth year student came bursting in, "Professor there's a fight and it's between Slytherin's. I thought as head of house you'd want to know" Draco groaned, peaceful break now a distant memory.

He stood, "Right show me the way" and he followed the student to the nearest courtyard.

Scorpius had his wand drawn and was pointing it at a fifth year Slytherin boy. Draco inwardly groaned, great now he has to confront his son.

"What is going on here?" he asked, no one in particular.

Scorpius snapped his head around, but his wand remained steady.

"Nothing. Just a friendly debate" he drawled

Draco inhaled and exhaled, "Lower your wand Malfoy" Scorpius stared at him, "No"

"It wasn't a question it was an instruction. I said lower your wand" his voice eerily similar to Scorpius'

The fifth year boy was whimpering and staring at the end of Scorpius wand.

"Detention tonight Mr Malfoy, see me after dinner. Expelliarmus" he called and Scorpius wand flew to his hand.

Scorpius stared dumbfounded at him. Draco told all other students to leave, apart from Scorpius and the boy he was fighting with.

"Why were you pointing your wand at Mr Smith?" Draco asked, voice stern.

"I was just warning him, if he continues to push me there will be consequences" he snootily said and looked away from Draco.

Smith piped up, "He's mad. He just went off on one – mental"

Scorpius spun around, "Watch your mouth Smith, you may find it glued shut one day"

Smith glared back, "Empty threats Malfoy. All mouth you are, rich kid like you, wouldn't want to break a nail" he retorted.

"Mr Smith detention, you can come to my office tomorrow night. Now leave" he demanded. Smith snatched his school bag and stomped off.

Scorpius looked angry, "I can handle him. My wand" he demanded holding out his hand.

Draco arched an eyebrow at the rudeness, "I see your mother hasn't taught you manners"

His eyes narrowed, "Don't bad mouth mother. At least she was there for me, at least she tucked me in every night and celebrated my birthdays" anger spilling off him.

Draco stared at his son, "I sent you a birthday card every year Scorpius, they were all returned unopened. I suggest you hear all the facts before you run your mouth off. Now is not the time and place for family disputes. Now ask for your wand politely and you will get it back" he was firm and his voice was sharp.

"May I have my wand back SIR!" he sarcastically said

Draco knew he wasn't going to get better than that, he handed his wand over. Scorpius glared at the wand, as if it was soiled by Draco's touch. He looked up at Draco wrinkled his nose up at him and casually strolled away, with an air that only a Malfoy could muster.

'That boy will be the death of me' Draco thought as he returned to start his next lesson.

That night at dinner he relayed the incident with Harry. "So now I have to sit in detention with him and he will be sending me hateful looks and nasty thoughts all night" he really didn't want to be alone with him, if he wasn't prepared to listen.

"I guess that was when Al was helping me, that's why Al wasn't there. He normally stops any trouble. Scorpius um got in a lot of fights in first year, he um…" he looked away from Draco.

Draco sighed, "Go on just say it"

Harry rushed out, "He was compared to you a lot and well he would act out and fight with anyone who dared compare the two of you" Harry sent him an apologetic look.

"I think Smith is one of the worst for staring on him, and well now you're here, I guess it has caused the old insults fly again" Harry reasoned.

"Well if I'm not at breakfast tomorrow, you know it's because Scorpius and I have killed each other" he stood and left the great hall. He went the dungeons to wait for Scorpius.

He arrived soon after and sauntered into the class room. "Let's get this over and done with, I don't really want to be here and you know it" he sat down and stared at the spot above Draco's shoulder.

Merlin he was never that rude was he? "You will be helping me sort through the potions store cupboard" and he beckoned Scorpius over to the cupboard.

As they worked to do a count of the various ingredients, Draco would fire questions about the ingredients and the different potions that it could be used in. He was surprised when Scorpius was happy to answer all his questions and he answered most of them.

He suspected that Scorpius wanted to prove to him he was good at potions, not to gain Draco's praise, instead to show him that he could answer any question he asked.

"Very good. You're skilled in the art of potion making, were you taught?" he asked, hoping Scorpius would at least answer him.

Scorpius glared at him, "There's no point avoiding the obvious, I clearly inherited your skill in the subject. Mother couldn't even boil water" and Draco had to hide his smile, as it was true Astoria was rubbish at potions and anything that involved immense attention to detail. Other than clothes shopping.

Scorpius didn't know why he was talking civilly to his da- no Draco. Not his dad, he's Draco. But he had a passion for potions and when Draco said he was sorting the ingredients, he was pleased. He wanted to see what the school had and get the chance to look at the rarer ingredients. Draco was obviously very knowledgeable and he clearly loved the subject just as much as he did.

He wanted to know more about Draco's potions skills, intrigued if he indeed took after him. "I kind of taught myself a lot of it. The library at home has many potions text books and I just liked looking at them and reading them"

Draco arched an eyebrow, "Well those would be my books. Astoria received the house and the entire contents, I guess she just left them in the library. I surprised she didn't burn them" he informed Scorpius.

Scorpius was shocked, the books he held dear. His favourite books, that were like a comfort and source of happiness to him, belonged to Draco and he had read the same books as what Draco had. He always felt like Draco was never there growing up, but he was in way, with those books.

"You, um. You made the notes that were left on a piece of parchment, in the front of some books?" he asked shyly.

Draco smiled, "Oh I forgot about those. I liked to experiment with different potions and ingredients and I guess those were my findings." Draco carried on smiling, it felt nice to be having a civil conversation with his son.

Scorpius frowned, "I asked mother about them and she said that, the books belonged to the previous owner of the house and that they were left behind"

Draco laughed, "Well she was telling the truth, technically I owned the house before she got it in the divorce" and he shook his head.

"She didn't say that I owned them, didn't mention me at all?" he knew she wouldn't mention anything to Scorpius about him, which made him look good.

"No. She never said you liked potions. She did mention you, quite a bit but um not about potions" he looked away.

Draco wanted to continue their honest and open conversation, "You know you can ask me anything? No matter the subject. I will answer you honestly and to the best of my ability" Draco kindly told him.

"Mother said you left us? You walked out" his eyes were narrowed and Draco could tell the memory of Draco leaving hurt him.

"Yes I did. I never left you. I left her and she wouldn't let me take you. I took her to court but lost custody of you. I tried to appeal but was refused. When I tried to arrange visitations with you, Astoria had moved and I didn't know where you had moved" he hoped Scorpius could see he was telling the truth.

Scorpius frowned, "You're lying. Why would mother move and not tell you?" he demanded

Draco followed Scorpius out of the store cupboard and into the wider open space of the classroom. "I don't know why your mother did the thing she did. She was angry that I left her and I guess she wanted to get back at me" he offered as a suggestion.

"I said not to bad mouth mother in front of me. You're trying to confuse me, being nice, talking about potions and calling mother a liar. I don't know what to think. But the one thing I do know is, YOU WALKED OUT ON US!" he shouted the last part. He had always hated Draco for just deciding to leave and never looking back. Why wasn't he good enough, why did he leave?

"I walked out on your mother not you, there is a difference. I thought she would let me have joint custody of you, I never thought she would request full custody" he calmly explained

"Do you blame her? I was three when you decided you didn't want to play happy families any more. Three when I lost my dad and never got him back. Mother said you never loved her and that in fact, you don't even like women?" he accused

Draco sighed, yes Astoria was telling the truth, but she was painting it in such a way that it made it look bad.

"We were from pureblood families, our marriage was arranged. Irrelevant of my sexuality I had to marry and produce an heir. We didn't marry for love and your mother knew that from the very beginning. She married me for my money"

Scorpius snorted, "You have never given us anything"

Draco couldn't believe what Scorpius was saying, "Well that's a lie. Astoria took the house, the contents of the house and more than half of the Malfoy fortune. Not to mention I have a savings account in your name, with a substantial amount of money in, but you have to be seventeen before you can access it"

Scorpius glared, "I also sent you presents and money at Christmas and birthdays, every year since you were three. I didn't know your address but the owl would find you on name alone. However you mother returned them all unopened and with a note telling me not to bother"

Scorpius couldn't believe his mother would do that, "I don't believe you"

Draco sighed, "I still have all the cards and letters I sent, all dated and sealed. You can have them if you want, not like it will make any difference now" he sadly reasoned. He really wanted his son to see that he tried, he really did.

"I don't want them. I'm old enough to know that I had a lucky escape, not having you around. You done me a favour" his voice was low, but clear and seething.

"I am reminded everyday of who you are – I hate being associated with you. It makes me feel sick and I wish mother changed my name to Greengrass – I hate being a Malfoy" and he stormed out of the classroom.

Draco didn't even have it in him to call him back to finish his detention.

The next day Scorpius woke to find a bundle of letters and cards at the bottom of his bed. They looked old and warn. The note on the bundle read:

Rightfully yours. You can burn them if you wish, I'm just glad that they are finally being delivered to you. Draco

Scorpius had a million different thoughts running through his head, Draco wasn't lying, and he had sent cards and letters. But even if he received the cards and letters at the time, Draco was still an ex-death eater, who walked out on him and his mother, who has done unspeakable things. Things that made Scorpius ashamed.

Al sat up and looked over at the stack of post, "What's that?" he asked

Scorpius chucked the bundle in his trunk, "Junk mail" and he got up to get dressed.