House: Hufflepuff
Category: Themed (Rejection)
Prompt: Acceptance
Word Count: 775
Summary: Draco Malfoy struggles with his son being rejected.
Draco Malfoy wasn't angered by most things. He didn't care about the prejudice against him, or the names that he's called due to his past. They could put him in the newspaper every week about how he is trying to bring back the Dark Lord, or is kidnapping muggle for torture. Anything they write about him, or do to him, he didn't care.
He had a small reserve of how much they could say about his wife, Astoria. And even less control when anything was said about, or affected, his son, Scorpius.
Thankfully, it appeared that everybody was too busy when Scorpius was born to make up rumours. That was due to Potter having his second son; he never thought he'd be so happy with his former enemy having children.
Unfortunately, as the years went on, and Scorpius grew older, he wasn't as lucky. Draco remembered his parents scheduling playdates for him; usually with Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy. He remembered how much he loved them, having the chance to play with other children his own age, and knowing they'd go to the same school as him.
He hadn't been able to do this for Scorpius.
Most the population doesn't want their children near him because of the Malfoy association with The Dark Lord, and Death Eaters. Other's felt like he was now weak, or a traitor to the purebloods because he hadn't spoken up against any muggleborn laws - where his father always had.
He was hated for being a Malfoy, and hated for not acting like a traditional Malfoy. It was a cruel circle. And as an extension, his son was already being treated differently; already being rejected.
It angered Draco to no end. The amount of excuses Wizards had for not being able to set up a playdate ever was ludacris. Even when they initial agreed, something always seemed to come up. He had taken to not telling Scorpius the plans anymore, he didn't want him to feel rejected or upset about a new potential friend not coming. It arose questions that Draco couldn't answer.
Draco was almost tempted to contact Potter, Weasley, Granger, to arrange a playdate; they had children the same age. But, he didn't think he could stand another rejection. Especially, not like this. When he would have to scope down to contacting those he openly showed hate for in the past. No doubt, they had heard of his letters to others.
"Daddy?" his six-year-old interrupted, stepping into his office as he rubbed his eyes.
"You're supposed to be asleep, Scorpius," Draco said smoothly, standing up and walking to him.
When Scorpius raised his arms, Draco picked him up and headed back to his room. "I woke up and couldn't sleep again... and wanted to see you."
"Why couldn't you get back to sleep?" he inquired gently.
Scorpius shrugged. "Can I sleep with you and Mummy tonight?"
Draco had only allowed Scorpius to crawl into bed with him and Astoria occasionally, but, Scorpius had been asking for that a lot lately. Unfortunately, they'd decided that they'd be firm and say no now. "Not tonight, you have your own bed," he said with a small level of excitement. "It looks really comfortable," he added as he walked into the room and sat down on the bed.
"Can you sleep in with me then?"
Draco smiled fondly at the attempt; Scorpius was a clever little boy. "No, you have to sleep on your own. Good night."
Scorpius remained holding onto him for a few minutes before finally letting go when Draco didn't give in - not that he usually gave in. There was no words spoken. Scorpius sighed as he released him before climbing back under his covers. "Night, Daddy."
"Good night, Son."
When he walked back into his office, he decided that he was going to risk another rejection if it meant a chance for Scorpius to have a friend his own age. Sitting down at his desk and picking up his quill, Draco wrote a letter to his former classmate.
LINE
Draco wasn't surprised often these days. But, trust it to be Potter who surprised him by accepting his play date request. What was more, was that Potter invited him over to his house - that was something he definitely did not expect.
Without telling his son where they were going, he floo'ed to the Potter household; it was a lot nicer than he imagined.
Within minutes his son was playing with two raven-haired boys, both similar to his age, and neither caring about their family. The smile on Scorpius' face was worth every rejection he received; because finally, he had been accepted.
