Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling.

Chapter 10: Harry's Birthday

The rest of the month flew by in the hot, humid haze of London in July. On his birthday, Harry took the day off work, piled his family into the car, and headed to a nearby park to enjoy the weather. Around lunchtime, Ron and Hermione joined them with their own children and enough food to feed a small army.

Hermione laughed as she watched James lead most of the children in a game of muggle football. "I'm sure James will make the House team before long," she said.

"I agree," Ginny answered. "Too bad Albus doesn't take after him." She cast an annoyed glance at her middle child, who was leaning against a nearby tree and writing in his journal.

"Does Albus ever do anything besides write?" Ron asked.

"Sometimes," Ginny answered. "He'll jabber your ear off about Malfoy's kid and occasionally he even eats and sleeps."

"Be nice, Ginny," Harry said as he gave his younger son a fond look. "Albus is bright and much more empathetic and self-aware than James will ever be. Sports aren't everything."

Ginny leaned her head on his shoulder. "I guess I'll just have to be thankful my boys won't ever have to play against each other in Quidditch. Why couldn't Albus have been in Gryffindor?"

"The Sorting Hat knows what it's doing," Hermione said. "Besides, Albus likes Slytherin and he's doing well there."

"Right," Ron said, "he's doing so well, his only friend is a Malfoy."

"He'll be fine," Hermione said again. "Look, Hugo just scored a goal."

The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly, except for a minor mishap in which James kicked the ball and it just happened to hit Albus, sending his journal, quill, and inkwell flying. Only a quick spell by Hermione kept the ink from soaking the journal. Albus glared darkly at his brother, gathered his things, and resumed writing.

Ginny watched him worriedly. "Albus keeps all of his feelings too deeply hidden. He doesn't socialize unless he has to, he only plays with Lily, and he never tells me what's wrong."

"Then stop condemning Scorpius," Hermione said. "Demonizing his best friend will just drive him away from you. Instead, ask him what he sees in Scorpius. Invite him to tell you what they did together, and what they plan to do."

"Good luck with that," Ron told his sister. He turned to Harry. "So, how's your appeal going?"

"I'm not having any luck with Nott, but the Wizengamot has agreed to reconsider Narcissa's case a month from now."

"What about Nott and Narcissa?" Ginny asked.

"Narcissa Malfoy was considered and rejected for release, but her file gives no clear justification for the rejection, so I challenged it."

"Why?"

"Ginny, she saved my life and her son and grandson need her. She shouldn't be in Azkaban."

Ginny shook her head. "You don't need to spend the rest of your life saving people, Harry."

Ron asked in an attempt to change the subject, "Have you spoken with Terry about Nott?"

"Yeah, he thinks if we meet on the Continent somewhere, we may be able to get information from him. He's hoping for regional details, nearby landmarks, that sort of thing."

"I can't believe Terry buys into that military camp nonsense. We'd have seen evidence before now."

"I don't know, Ron. I think we're missing something still."

Hermione lay back on the picnic blanket and gazed up at the clouds. "I've been speaking with Cho. She said whatever's happened, she's absolutely sure Scorpius has been abused. She said he will be very fortunate if the only abuse he's received is physical. I agree with her, Harry."

Harry glanced over toward Albus and noticed he was watching Hermione very intently, his quill poised motionless over his journal. He said carefully, "I've asked Cho to be prepared for the worst. I just don't know what to expect."

It was late evening by the time the two families headed to their respective homes. Harry hugged and kissed each of his children as he sent them to bed. James scrubbed his forehead roughly and cried, "Dad, I'm too old for that!" Albus hugged him back and clung silently until Harry gently disengaged himself. Lily giggled and begged him to tuck her in and tell her a story. Worried about Albus, he invited his younger son to join them and told a story about a prank he and Ron had played on Scorpius' father. Both children giggled, but Albus cuddled tensely against Harry the entire time.

~O~

31 July 2018

Like I wrote earlier, it's Dad's birthday and I spent the day watching Rose and the other kids play football. I've just climbed into bed and Dad's watching me from the door. I know he's worried. He invited me to Lily's room earlier to tell me a story about your dad when they were in school together. It was funny, but I kept thinking about you and he held me through the whole story, then walked me back to my room.

I know I'm not happy anymore really. Rose and Lily both try to cheer me up and James picks on me more than usual, but I just don't care anymore. All I care about is you, Scorpius. All I want is for you to come home. I love you.

Dad says it's time to go to sleep now. Goodnight, Scorpius. I hope you sleep well tonight.

Albus

Author's Note: Thank you for all the reviews. They were very encouraging and are the reason I'm updating so quickly. I think I've managed to respond to all of the signed reviews. To the anonymous reviewer worried about who Scorpius will marry, if anyone, this story only covers about six months, so I'll leave the future, such as it is, to your imagination.