"Hello! Anybody there?" Harry called as he stepped out of the floo into the drawing room. A moment later, he heard footfalls on the stairs.

"Hi, Dad." Albus leapt over the last two steps as his father entered the hall.

"Where is everyone?"

"Lily went to the Scamander twins' birthday party, and then she's staying the weekend at Gran's. James is at Junior Quidditch training with Teddy. Mum flooed. She said she's working late There's a press conference about the rumors that Oliver Wood has elected free transfer."

"He is? That's the first I've heard of it. Well, then I guess it's just you and me. How about I take you out for tea this evening?" Harry suggested.

"Really?" Albus gave Harry a look of surprise. It was rare to have his father's undivided attention, unless he'd done something wrong.

"Sure. We can go to the Lucky Chip, yeah?"

"Can I get truffle cheese fries?"

"You bet. Grab your shoes, I'll meet you downstairs."

Several minutes later, the father and son sat across from one another in a booth at the Old Queen's Head pub, which housed the restaurant. Albus pulled a clump of French fries, smothered in truffle sauce and cheese, from the large paper-lined basket, shoving it into his mouth.

"So what did you do all day, son?"

"Homework," Albus replied with a sigh. I've just about got everything completed except Transfiguration, but I've misplaced my star chart for Astronomy. Now I've got to start again, but it's practically impossible to view the night sky from the roof!" he complained.

"I'm sure that you can get it done in time. You grandparents have an excellent and unobstructed view from the garden at the Burrow." Harry sipped his lager.

"Scorpius said I could borrow his if I don't find it. He'd have invited me to the Manor to work on it, but you'd probably say 'no', and anyway, he's grounded until start of term. Is it true that you arrested him for stealing?"

"I didn't arrest Scorpius, Al. Still, he is in a great deal of trouble. It isn't just for theft and underage magic. Violation of the Statute of Secrecy is a serious offense. He could be excluded from school."

"Expelled from Hogwarts? That's not fair!" Albus exclaimed.

"Those are the rules, Albus. I don't make them. I'm sorry. The thing is; this isn't the first time Scorpius has been reported for engaging in such behavior. It can no longer be ignored." Harry signaled the waitress for another pint and heaved a sigh. "Did you…" he shrugged. "Did you know anything about what Scorpius was up to?"

"What exactly are you asking, Dad?" Albus sat up, crossing his arms and glaring suspiciously at Harry. "I don't steal!"

"I'm not accusing you of anything, Al, but I can't overlook the evidence in front of me. Despite whatever minimal change of thinking Draco has come to since the war, the Malfoys still studiously avoid the muggle world. Yet, Scorpius seems to have found his way to London and a shopping center not far from Grimmauld Place."

"I mean, okay, last year Scorpius did sneak away from his father, and met me at the cinema. I just wanted to cheer him up after his mother died, and he was curious about muggle life. We met in Hoxton and went shopping at Goodhood at the end of term—but I swear—I didn't know anything about him stealing! I don't think he really understands muggle money, or maybe he thought his dad would find out if he tried to exchange gold for muggle notes. Dad, you have to help him. Scorpius can't get expelled from Hogwarts!"

"I don't know, Al. What you're telling me isn't exactly persuasive. Why are you so fixated on Scorpius? Isn't it time you made a better effort at expanding your circle of friends?"

"I knew it." Albus shook his head as he gazed out of the window and heaved a sigh. "I knew this wasn't about us spending time together." He pushed away his plate. "You just wanted another opportunity to bash Scorpius and make me out to be a disappointment of a son!"

"That's not true, Albus," Harry argued.

"Isn't it? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to be your son?"

"Al—"

"I'm not a Gryffindor—"

"I don't care about—"

"I'm rubbish at quidditch. I can barely ride a broom. I nearly failed Defense. And if that wasn't the worst of it, you just can't stand that my one and only friend—the only person who cares about me just happens to be the son of your sworn enemy!"

"You are one-hundred percent out of order, young man!" Harry snapped. "How could you even suggest—"

"Because it's true!" Albus cut him off, his voice rising in frustration and ire, drawing the attention of diners seated nearby. "Just admit it, Dad. If Scorpius hadn't nabbed off with all those goods, you'd still be at the office just waiting for your next opportunity to save the world!" He slid out of the booth. "I have to work on my Transfiguration assignment," he muttered before storming out.

Harry heaved a sigh and retrieved a few bills from his wallet, leaving them on the table, before he followed after his son. He didn't call out to Albus as he trailed a few yards back, the ten minute walk back to Grimmauld Place. Albus knew his father was behind him, but he didn't look back. He willed the house to appear before he'd even reached the edge of the gardens, and did not break his stride, touching his wand to the door to open it. Though it would have given him great pleasure to slam it behind him, Albus left the door ajar for Harry. He ran up the stairs to his room where he felt the satisfaction of slamming the door and locking it. Albus paced in circles, his fists tightly clenched as he blinked back angry tears.

"Albus." Harry knocked at the door. He tried the knob and found it locked. "Albus, open the door, please."

Albus ignored his father, throwing himself across his bed. After a moment, he heard Harry mutter an unlocking charm.

"Alohomora!" Harry turned the knob again, but paused. He heaved a sigh and retreated to his study, on the level below.


"If this is your idea of a joke, young man, I can assure you that we are not amused!" Lucius eyed his grandson with thinly veiled derision.

Scorpius took his seat at the dining table wearing a pair of slim-fitting black jeans, turned up above the ankles, which were shredded down the front, thin grey threads holding them together, and a green graphic tee with the phrase "I am magic" on the front in glittery silver lettering. On his feet were grey skate shoes, and a grey and black, plaid flannel shirt was tied about his waist. His pale hair was styled with a fringe cut, his bangs hanging long over his forehead.

"Draco, my love, your father and I realize that you and Scorpius have had a very trying time over these last two years. However, indulging in muggle whims and—fashion—or whatever this atrocity is called—"

"Scorpius, I demand that you return to your rooms and attire yourself properly for dinner." Lucius gave his grandson a haughty stare.

"You're not my father," Scorpius replied sullenly.

"Scorpius!" Draco admonished tiredly.

"How dare you speak to me like that!" Lucius snarled.

"Don't be impudent, Scorpius," said Narcissa. "Apologize to your grandfather at once."

"No!"

"You see?" Lucius turned to Draco with an accusatory glare. "This is what your abandonment of proper breeding and tradition has spawned!" He stabbed his finger towards Scorpius. "You allowed Astoria to coddle him, and now you've abdicated your parental responsibility completely!"

"You go too far, Father," Draco replied, struggling to maintain his composure.

"I rather think I don't go far enough!" Lucius retorted. "I suppose Potter and his lot have something to do with this—this unseemly and garish ensemble?"

"Oh, for fuck's sake, Father! Just grow a spine and stand up to him just once!" Scorpius yelled, banging his fist on the table. "If it wasn't for Harry Potter, he wouldn't even be sitting here dressing you down like this! I wouldn't even exist because all of you would be in Azkaban or dead—just like Mum! How can you let him insult her like that?"

"Scorpius—" Draco began, but Scorpius ignored him, turning his anger upon his grandparents.

"You can sit in your stupid lodge clinging to the traditions of the past, but you have no right to act like you're so superior! You know what you did!" he yelled, getting to his feet. "You have blood on your wand, Grandfather! And you, Grandmother, were silently complicit in everything! You made your only son take the Dark Mark! It's in all of the history books! Everyone knows! Do you have any idea what it's like to sit through History of Magic and hear about every dastardly thing your own family took part in—nearly destroying all of wizardkind? For what? We were already the wealthiest wizarding family in England—one of the wealthiest in all of Europe! You didn't even need him! He needed you! You made me a social pariah! You did! You and your pureblood fanaticism! I haven't a single friend besides Albus Potter! Everyone thinks I'm the spawn of Voldemort!" At the mention of the Dark Lord's name, Scorpius' father and grandparents all drew a sharp intake of breath.

"You've done nothing with your second chance! At least Father and Mother made some attempt at understanding and tolerance. My mother gave her life to give you an heir, and you have the nerve to slander her memory! I hate you!" Scorpius stormed out of the grand room, leaving the others staring after him.

"Well! I have never! I knew I should have insisted that you send Scorpius to Durmstrang, just as I wished I'd sent you all those years ago. Mark my words, Draco. No good can come of this. If you don't get control of Scorpius, before you know it, he'll be brought up before the Wizengamot—"

"Well, it's a bit too late for that, Father. He'll be going before the Juvenile Affairs panel first thing Monday morning." Draco muttered, not meeting his father's eyes.

"I beg your pardon!" Lucius stared at Draco in disbelief.

"Whatever for?" Narcissa demanded in a shocked voice.

"Larceny, violation of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, and violation of the International Statute of Secrecy." Draco gave Lucius a cold stare. "So, Father, you may likely get your wish—as Scorpius may very well be excluded from Hogwarts." He stood. "I've lost my appetite. Stay, and dine if you wish." Lucius and Narcissa stared in apoplectic astonishment as Draco swept from the room.