This chapter was easier to edit so I'm posting it sooner than expected.
Scorpius's mood improved drastically during the next week. He threw himself into everything great vigour. The knowledge that the Resurrection Stone was real kept him going like a talisman. Although sometimes, it resulted in almost disastrous consequences. Albus had to rescue him when he over enthusiastically pursued Rose Ganger-Weasley in an attempt to ask her out on a date. He was certain that her hex would've hit him if it wasn't for Albus's well timed shield charm.
Ever since Albus told him that the Stone existed, Scorpius had been going to the Library in his spare time doing some research into the Forbidden Forest, trying to find the site where Harry Potter had met Voldemort when he gave himself up. It wasn't until a week later that he made a major breakthrough.
He ran down the corridors in triumph, feeling a strong sense of purpose. Never before had he found anything as important. He swept down the Dungeons and made his way to the Slytherin Common Room, determined to find Albus and show him what he had found.
He found Albus sitting at a table hunched over his Astronomy Homework, muttering to himself angrily and scribbling things out.
"Albus!" Scorpius whispered loudly and excitedly, causing several students to shoot him angry glares. He grinned at them apologetically as Albus looked up at the sound of his name.
Scorpius placed a large pile of books on top of Albus's star chart and flung himself into the chair opposite him.
"Look what I found!" Scorpius said, barely containing his excitement.
"Blimey, Scorpius," Albus said weakly, staring at the pile of books on top of his Star chart. "I know you're a massive geek, but that has to be the whole Library. You'll give my Aunt Hermione a run for her money at this rate."
"Never mind the books," Scorpius said impatiently. "I only got them out for a bit of light reading. Look what I've found."
He put a hand in his robes and took out an old a map of The Forbidden Forest. Scorpius looked up eagerly, checking Albus's reaction. A look of understanding appeared in his brilliant green eyes replacing the look of exasperated amusement that was there moments before.
"You've found out where my Dad gave himself up to Voldemort, didn't you?" He asked softly.
"I've finally found it, Albus!" Scorpius exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement any longer. "I know where to look for The Resurrection Stone! It's in this clearing here!"
He pointed to a large clearing at the edge of the map.
"I knew you'd find it." Albus smiled at him. "Looks like you have to go through the Centaurs bit of the Forest to find it, though."
"If I leave now, I'd probably make it back in about two hours." Scorpius said, standing up. A look of shock appeared on Albus's face.
"Wait," He hissed, grabbing hold of Scorpius's sleeve. "Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy! Get that strange look out of your eye! You can't just leave now."
"Why not?" Scorpius asked, feeling slightly hurt. It was a bit rich of Albus to tell him not to leave when Albus had jumped off the Hogwarts Express last year and had almost destroyed the world. Although Scorpius had to admit that he had helped Albus and had accepted his share of the blame. He was sure that Albus would want to set out straight away if he were in Scorpius's shoes.
"We need to plan this out properly," Albus said testily. "It's freezing out there and you'll probably get caught. I know you want to get out there and find The Stone, I know I would if this was me."
"We didn't exactly plan it out properly when we jumped off the train last year." Scorpius pointed out bitterly.
"No, that was quite spontaneous," Albus agreed. "But it's taught me a lot. Rushing in without planning anything is never the best outcome. My Dad learnt it the hard way and we did last year. You'll only get caught or run into some monster of Hagrid's out there or come across the Centaurs. I know that The Stone is no Time-Turner. I don't think we'll destroy the world with it, but this is about your Mum and I want things to go right for you. If anyone deserves to use it, then it would be you. I want to help you. You're my best friend. That's what friends are for."
Scorpius felt his throat tighten and his vision fog with tears and a strong sense of gratitude threatened to overwhelm him.
"Albus…That's a really nice thing to say." He sniffed, wiping his face with his sleeve. Albus gave him a soft smile and patted his arm.
"So, do you know, by any chance, know if one of Jupiter's moons in covered in mice?" He asked casually, his bright green eyes sparkling with mischief.
"What? No!" Scorpius exclaimed, moving around the table to sit next to Albus, removing the large pile of books that he dumped on Albus's Star chart. "You must be thinking of Europa that's covered in ice."
"You wait till I get hold of my Dad," Albus grumbled, scribbling out a part of his essay. "He swore blind once that it was covered in mice."
Scorpius laughed. "I know he's the great Harry Potter and all that, but your Dad's not much of an Astronomer." He chuckled.
"If you think that's bad then you should hear what my Brother said," Albus grinned. "James told me once that Europa was covered in rice."
Scorpius burst out laughing and spent the night teasing Albus about his family's poor Astronomy knowledge whilst helping Albus with his Astronomy essay and in turn, Albus helped him with a particularly nasty essay about Anti-Venoms. He went to bed that night in a particularly good mood having done all his Homework and dreamed of his Mother once more.
The patter of his tiny feet echoed as he climbed the stairs leading to the roof garden of Malfoy Manor. His Mum was taken ill and was rushed to St Mungo's the other week and this was her first night back at the Manor. He was eager to see her after she spent two weeks in Hospital. He pushed open the door excitedly and sneezed. The Roof Garden was home to the most wonderful, colourful plants that Scorpius had ever seen. There were giant Sunflowers, small bluebells and Roses of every colour imaginable. Some were even bigger than Scorpius and one little plant looked as if one touch would break it. By day, it was a riot of colour and by night, it was illuminated by the Fairies that lived in some of the trees.
Several, small Fairies fluttered about between the plants as Scorpius moved between the pots trying to find his Mum. He found her at the edge of the balcony, looking thinner than he remembered her to be, but no less beautiful. A purple shawl was wrapped her shoulders and she was looking through a shiny brass Telescope.
"MUM!" He cried, running between two pots of Lavender almost tripping over a creeper vine that was resting lazily .
Astoria looked round and gave him a brilliant smile.
"Hello Scorpius," She beamed as Scorpius tackled her in a hug. "Careful, now. I'm still sore," She said gently. "How have you been?"
"I've missed you," Scorpius said, taking in his Mums comforting scent. "Are you feeling better now? Will you have to go the Hospital again?"
Astoria pulled away and looked at him. Scorpius saw that her face was thinner than before, but her eyes still shone brightly.
"I'm well enough to come back home, sweetheart," She smiled. "I've got some of my old strength back but I've got to take a really disgusting Potion that tastes like fish."
"Fish?" Scorpius asked horrified. He never liked fish. It never seemed to agree with him. He pulled a face which Astoria laughed at.
"I know," She smiled. "And Sugar makes it useless, which is too bad. At least you don't have to drink it. As for having to go to the Hospital again, well I'm afraid I can't make any promises."
She stroked his blond head, smoothing his hair down. He had missed her touch while she was at the hospital.
"What are doing out here, Mum?" He asked curiously.
"I was just looking at the stars." Astoria said. "Do you want a look?"
"Okay" He bounded over, almost tripping over a creeping vine. Astoria flicked her wand and all the nearest plants rose in the air and hovered over them. A few fairies flew out of a bush and angrily shook their tiny fists at Astoria before zooming away. Astoria adjusted the Telescope so it was low enough for Scorpius and he peered into it.
"Wow!" He exclaimed excitedly. "They're so bright!"
"Yes, they are," Astoria laughed. "That's the North Star you're looking at. Do you remember what it's called?"
"Polaris!" Scorpius recited immediately. "Located in the constellation of Ursa Minor."
"Very good," Astoria beamed. "Do you want to have a look at the Star Charts?"
Scorpius stepped away from the Telescope and bounded to the Coffee Table where there was a large Star Chart. He scanned the chart before letting out another cry of amazement.
"There's my name!" He exclaimed excitedly, pointing at the chart.
"You're a star," Astoria beamed. Scorpius grinned and continued looking at the chart. The Constellations had some funny names. Microscopium, Octans and Puppis to name a few. He was glad that he wasn't named after any one of those.
"There's Dad!" Scorpius shouted suddenly pointing at the chart again. Astoria laughed again and he continued scanning the chart for a while.
"Scorpius? Are you up here?" Draco's voice called from the stairwell.
"Speak of the devil," Astoria said dryly.
"Oh, there you are." Draco sighed in relief as he appeared in the doorway and then began to navigate his way through the plants. "It'll be time for bed soon."
"That's right," Astoria agreed. "We don't want you to be all sleepy tomorrow when your Grandparents visit. Your Grandfather wouldn't be amused."She added, her voice becoming icy all of a sudden.
"You're not on the chart," Scorpius said sadly, looking up at his mother. Astoria gave him a small smile.
"I'm not a star, Scorpius." Astoria said softly.
"Yes you are," Scorpius stated indignantly. "You're my Mum."
Astoria's eyes grew brighter as Draco finally navigated his way through the plants. Astoria seemed to sway on the spot. Draco immediately put an arm around his wife's shoulders and led her to the bench.
"You really should sit down you know," He said softly. "The Healers said that you shouldn't stand up for long periods of time."
"Did you hear what our sweet son just said to me?" Astoria asked him. A soft smile formed across Draco's face.
"I did," He said fondly. "And I agree with every word. You are a star and it's an outrage that your name isn't on that chart,"
Astoria and Scorpius both gave Draco a funny look as if they thought that he was making a joke.
"It's true," Draco said defensively. "In fact, I feel so strongly about this that I'm going to do something about it."
Draco summoned a quill and ink with his wand and took the Star chart and drew a star next to the Draco constellation. He labelled it Astoria.
"There we go," He said to Scorpius. "Your Mother is now on the Star chart."
Scorpius stared at him opened mouthed.
"But-but that's cheating!" He exclaimed, pointing at Draco. Astoria threw her head back and laughed at the sight of Draco's expression.
"I thought you wanted your Mother's name on the chart?" Draco asked confusedly. "Is she not a Star, now?"
"She is but you can't just draw one on there!" Scorpius exclaimed. "That's vandalism!"
"It's the thought that counts, Scorpius," Astoria chuckled, kissing Draco on the cheek and causing Scorpius to screw his face up in disgust and look pointedly away.
"You know," She continued softly, causing Scorpius to look at her once more. At a closer glance, she looked a little bit sad. "My Grandfather told me once that when we die, we become Stars and look down on the loved ones that we left behind. I like to think that one day, I'll be the brightest one up there, looking down on you."
The atmosphere seemed to change as Draco shifted uncomfortably and placed a comforting hand on her knee. Scorpius was oblivious to this and his face lit up. "And I'll be waving up at you!" He said brightly.
"Glad to hear it," Astoria smiled, her eyes suddenly very bright. "Now how about we get you to bed?"
"What would you like to read?" Draco asked, batting away a creeper vine that was snaking around his shoulders and getting up from the bench.
"Can we read The Tales of Beedle the Bard?" Scorpius asked excitedly.
"Beedle The Bard it is, then." Draco chuckled as Scorpius followed him.
"I'll join you in a minute." Astoria told Draco. "I just need to rest for a moment."
Scorpius skipped beside Draco requesting The Tale of The Three Brothers followed by Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump. Astoria chuckled as Draco was trying to tell Scorpius that he could only have one story tonight as it was very late and Scorpius needed his sleep. After they went in, Astoria got up and leaned over the balcony, looking up at the night sky.
The Roof Garden scene was quite fun to write.
Next chapter to be up as soon as possible. I just need to edit some things.