Chapter 4

Life at Hogwarts

It was official. Scorpius and Albus had become best friends, Rose just usually tagged along when she could. Albus found himself really adapting to being a Slytherin, he was glad he was placed where he was, he couldn't imagine himself with his cousins, he couldn't imagine himself with different people. It was weird, but he even prefered the colors over Gryffindor colors.

They were currently in the library working on homework together quietly as mice, like they were supposed to be. Then there was that familiar scream that Rose tended to have when something horrible happened. It wasn't a scream she did to be dramatic, she did it when she had hexed Ron, turning him into a bird, she did it when she hit Lily on brooms, and Lily had broken her arm.

So Albus darted up, packing his things up (by packing up, he really just shoved all his books and homeworks into his bag) and ran out of the library, Scorpius following behind him as quickly as possible.

Rose was flat on her back screaming out. She had a Dragon on her pinning her down, roaring back at her as she screamed. He lifted his head up and released a large explosion of flames. Albus and Scorpius darted behind a statue before coming back out, pulling their wands out trying to hex the dragon or get him off of Rose. But this was a new breed of dragon, their spells just bounced off his shimmering scales. With ever blow his scales ripped and changed color.

Students had already run to get teachers because this particular hallway never had high traffic. The dragon finally was over getting hit with spells and flew off of Rose and darted after Albus and Scorpius. They started running down the hall throwing hexes at him, and protecting themselves as best as they could. Rose chased after the Dragon trying to get it to stop.

Suddenly she was lifted up by a strong arm, looking up to see the grounds keeper. His hair had greyed exceptionally since her parents had gone to the school. She had seen pictures of him as they told her stories about their adventures in school, which was the only reason she was helping with all this dangerous stuff. She wanted to be like her parents.

"KENITH! Heel!" Hagrid yelled, setting Rose down, and pushed her behind him when the dragon released his hot breath as he turned towards Hagrid.

Rose and everyone else witnessing this couldn't help but laugh at the fact that a dragon was called Kenneth. The Dragon growled at Hagrid until Hagrid gave him one final look and the dragon lowered and sat on the ground curving his long neck up to look at Hagrid, making sure Hagrid was the bigger of them two. Charlie walked up, patting Rose's head.

"Oh thank god, no got hurt right?" He asked everyone, who were just laughing, "They're laughing because you named him Kenneth right?" Charlie asked Rose.

The young girl nodded laughing trying to get up off the floor to hug her rarely seen uncle. Scorpius and Albus had ran over as quickly as they could once the dragon was submitting to Charlie and Hagrid.

"Are you alright Rose?" they asked in unison. She nodded and stood up taking Scorpius's hand as she stood giggling a bit more.

"We're glad you're all okay. You are just like your parents… Going after danger just for the thrill of it," Hagrid chuckled and looked at them smiling.

"That's the only reason Rose came out here I bet," Albus laughed and hugged his cousin and then hugged Charlie and Hagrid.

"Want to come with us to go exercise Kenneth?" Charlie asked them.

"Yes!" Albus and Rose said in unison. They looked to Scorpius who was a bit shy staring at the dragon worried. He was like his father in the sense that he was really afraid of animals, and he didn't have that over confidence, yet, that would get him in trouble with these animals.

"I don't know… Maybe I'll just go back to studying. Animals and I don't get along well," Scorpius said embarrassed.
"You're a Malfoy aren't you? It really doesn't run in your family to be good with magical creatures…" Hagrid said, "But… I think we could start with you. You seem to not be a nasty little creeton like your father or your grandfather," He said chuckling. "Join your friends, I think they would like nothing more than to experience Kennith than with you."

"Really? You think I can start not being afraid?" he asked looking at Albus and Rose. They nodded and smiled brightly, begging him almost to come so it wouldn't be the two of them.

"Okay! I'll do it!" Scorpius said smiling brightly jumping up with them and ran after the Dragon as it started flying back through the hall out to where it was supposed to be.

Charlie and Hagrid ran after all four of them, feeling as if they now had four fire breathing teenage dragons running around that they had to look after. Once they were at the clearing they had been in previously, the trees protected by high rocks as Kenneth showed off his moves, spinning and diving and flying through fire making his scales glisten.

"He's a new type of dragon we found, can't be hurt by magic, and definitely a very sweet loving breed, when he's not scared or provoked," Charlie said smiling up at him. Hagrid threw up a large leg of lamb at the dragon. The dragon cooked it in mid air and ate it all in the same before diving down in a spiral. Last minute his wings jumped out, blocking out the sun as he landed softly on his feet.

Kenneth sat up on his hind legs and looked at the children, two in very much awe, the other looking like he had just pooped his pants. The dragon went up to them and rested his head down for them to touch him. Albus and Rose definitely took the opportunity to touch the giant reptile, moving along his long neck. Scorpius stared at the dragon that was staring at him. They were both crouched low, scared of each other. The dragon shifted forward a bit, resting his head in Scorpius's lap and touched his stomach.

"Fine fine. I'll pet you," he breathed out, a shaky hand going out to touch the dragon's head with a small smile. "He's so beautiful, and nice," Scorpius said with a happy smile. The Dragon wiggled his head his tail swishing a bit, before slamming down on the floor.

"See. You can be good to beasties. If you're good to them," Hagrid said smiling at them all loving on this dragon. They had an idea this was going to be the friendliest dragon by the time he was a full grown adult.

Scorpius had written a letter to his father that night about his adventures that day, since he hadn't reported anything to his parents yet, he wanted to, and this was definitely worth reporting. He wondered what his father would say. He also wondered if his father was actually scared of animals too, or if that was just something Hagrid had said in order for him to face his fears. Either way. He was exceptionally happy to have shared that with his friends.
"Scorpius!" Albus yelled running in.

"What is it?! What's wrong?' He asked jumping up looking at his best friend.

"I got a letter from my dad! I think it's about the breaks," He said softly and sat down on his bed starting to open it.

"Do you think they'll want all of us together at fall break too?" He asked smiling happily.

"I hope so, that would be great!"

Albus!

I have heard of your grand adventure today from Hagrid! I see that you all are following in the footsteps of your parents. I can't say that I'm proud that you tried to fight a dragon because your mother would disapprove. But I am impressed. When I fought my first dragon I barely survived, it required a broom and destroying a whole arena…

Anyway. The real reason I am writing to you is to confirm that the Malfoy's and the Potter's are spending Christmas together. I also think during your fall break the Malfoy's, Potter's, and Weasley's will all be together, which will be very exciting for our new golden trio of the school. (There always is one every generation). Happy News! Have a great time! Tell me about anything else you'd like, or any questions you may have!

Love You,

Your Father

Harry James Potter

Scorpius and Albus cried out laughing happily jumping on their beds back and forth. They didn't know if they had ever felt so happy in their entire lives. They celebrated by having some of the candy they had stored, it was October, candy was a hot commodity. The only person that wasn't celebrating was Ginny, who was having a tough conversation with Harry.

"So you don't love me?" She asked him.

"No. I told you. I love you. I just… I'm in love with him," He said looking at her, "I felt safe being with you. I don't think of you as my little sister but something close to that Ginny."

"Harry! Why couldn't you have told me from the beginning you were interested in only men?" She asked him frowning.

"Because I loved being with you, you're such a great mother, and you gave me three beautiful children on top of helping me with Teddy… I just… I am so grateful to you, I love you so much for everything you've done for me. That you keep doing for me," He said to her.

She looked at him and sat down, putting her face in her hands and shook. She couldn't believe this was happening to her. She knew being with him was too good to be true, she knew that something had been wrong all these years, when all Harry ever asked for was kids. He never had that real passion that she thought he would develop. They were a couple created out of a war, because the real coupling he wasn't wasn't possible after the war.

She couldn't believe that she had lost to Draco Malfoy. Of all people. A person that had tortured everyone relentlessly. What was so great about him that Ginny didn't have? She didn't understand. Ginny had an amazing personality; she was talented in many things, quidditch, hexes; she knew she was beautiful, something her mother never expected from the large batch of children she had. Ginny didn't understand why Harry wasn't in love with her.

"Are you in love with me Ginny? Am I the one for you Ginny?" Harry asked sitting next to her, rubbing her back.

She froze and looked at him and looked back down with furrowed brows and just laughed as tears fell slightly. Harry had only ever seen her cry during the chamber of secrets and when her brother died. She didn't even cry during birth, which he found incredibly impressive.

"No of course I don't! Of course I'm not in love with you. That's why I'm not throwing things. I don't think we were meant for each other, we were just there for each other at the right moment when we were kids," She sighed softly and rested against him.

"Harry... What do we do? Do we leave each other? Do we stay together for the children but be with the people we want?" She asked him.

"You know Ginny… I don't know… Draco and I are exactly what we are right now. An Affair. Forbidden as we have always been, as we always will be probably. We haven't discussed it. I don't think he ever thought I would leave you, he isn't that loyal to Astoria…" Harry murmured and leaned back against him.

She nodded and kissed his cheek. This was definitely complicated. She wondered how Dean was doing. She hadn't heard about him getting married or having any children. It was strange. She couldn't be upset when she always had one person on her mind. The reason she had been with Harry was mostly to get Dean jealous, and harry was there looking for comfort. It made sense though. Draco had just betrayed everyone, of course Harry would have been looking for comfort then. His heart had just been broken by his true love.

"I think I used you too. I think we used each other, and it turned out really well, but everything ended up being really messed up. When did you and Draco get back together?" She asked. There were so many letters, but none had been labeled with a date.

"We did indeed. I was heartbroken, you were heartbroken. Your family was under attack. We did what we needed to in order to remain back on earth instead of the mess that the war was," He sighed and was caught off guard by her question.

Harry hummed and thought and thought. He glanced to her again. "2010… Around the time you made me quit being an auror," He said to her. Harry gauged her reaction, worried that she would be angry that it had been going on for ten years without her knowing.

"So you got together with him out of boredom?" She asked him laughing softly.

"Not really… I thought a long time… We didn't have sex for a long time. I think… We finally started planning our schedules five years ago so that we could start doing that…" Harry said embarrassed. He couldn't believe he was telling Ginny everything. But he felt like he should tell her everything instead of keeping things quiet for no good reason.

"Well… That makes me feel better a little… That you made him wait so long in order to get something that everyone wants. I feel better knowing that he respected you that much to wait for you. I don't really see him as the patient type," Ginny Hummed.

"No… He's very patient…" Harry said smiling at her.

"Can I keep reading the letters?" She asked softly.