The Empty Canvas

Written By: Keshia K. Mansell

The places and characters depicted in this story are expressly © J. K. Rowling.

Previously:

Above them, high up in the rounded ceiling of the dungeon quarters floated the ghostly form of Severus Snape as he gazed as at the now sleeping child with his arms crossed. He'd listened to the entire conversation and had much to think about. He scowled at the light in which Hermione had painted him in for the child. It was entirely too heroic for his liking. And yet, he still found himself inexplicably humbled at the idea that the Potter brat seemed to truly want to look up to him. Perhaps, if he had time during his investigating he might be able to push the kid in the right direction. Wouldn't James Sr. role in his grave at the idea of a Potter taking after a Snape?

Perhaps the boy wasn't such a Dunderhead after all.

Chapter 10:

"No running in the halls, boys!" Hermione shouted with a hint of a smile as she watched two boys racing toward her just outside of the Great Hall. It was now lunch time and for the most part, many of the students had already settled within and were jovially shoving food in their faces as they relaxed from an intense morning of academics.

"Sorry, Professor!" both boys cried out in unison as they skidded to a halt in front of her. She watched in amusement as Albus bent over in exertion, panting to catch his breath. Scorpius merely smirked and crossed his arms at his new friend.

"Lost again, Potter," he tutted in a haughty voice as he watched the other boy in satisfaction. "Best work on your stair stepping technique if you ever want a chance against me. Your physical fitness is sorely lacking," he teased.

"Well, I would have gotten here faster if you hadn't hexed me with that jelly legs curse!" he grumbled, then seemed to remember they were in the presence of a professor as his eyes widened and he blanched. "Um… I mean… if I hadn't tripped...?" he tried again, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish look.

Hermione wasn't quite sure, but she almost thought she heard Scorpius mutter 'idiot' under his breath. She gave a small snort and fixed them in her practiced stern gaze. It wasn't quite as withering as Professor McGonagall's, but she figured it would do the trick. "Yes, yes, 'tripped' and 'hexed' are definitely the same thing," she said rolling her eyes. "I really ought to take points from you both, I suppose. But seeing as I know that neither of you had foul intentions I'll let it slide." At both of their excited looks she quickly added, "But just this once!"

Albus ignored her and gave her a quick hug. "Thanks Aunt 'Mione!" Then he turned to the blonde boy beside him. "See you later, Scorp. I gotta' find Rose!" he waived his goodbyes and then disappeared through the large doors.

Surprisingly, young Scorpius didn't follow right away. Instead he uncrossed his arms and his expression turned from smug to friendly in an easy transition that left her slightly off balanced. There was no way this kid could have been Draco Malfoy's son. Surely he was adopted. As if to prove her point, he spoke humbly to her. "Professor, I just wanted to thank you again for what you said a couple of days ago. I know you and my father were never friends and I'm glad to find that you treat me as you would any other student."

Hermione's eyes softened at the boy. Whether he was sincere or not, she couldn't tell. But he definitely seemed like he was. She placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled down at him. "I would never treat a student any differently regardless of where they come from, Mister Malfoy. We each chose our own path and I meant what I said. You're a good kid, and I'm sure I'll see great things from you," she told him honestly and he accepted her words with a grin of his own. She could tell he was like her in a way. When she'd been younger, she'd practically preened under compliments. She could see much of that in this child as well. "Now, go on and enjoy lunch with your friends," she said, shooing him toward the door gently.

"Alright, I'm going," he said as he heaved the large double doors open and slipped through. She just barely heard, "Bye, Professor!" just before the doors shut firmly behind him.

"That has to be the strangest thing I've ever seen," a masculine voice intoned behind her. "A Malfoy and a Potter friends. If memory serves correct, Potter now owes me ten galleons."

Hermione's eyebrows rose in surprise as she spun around to see the Malfoy patriarch walking toward her from the entrance. She'd been so busy speaking with Scorpius that she hadn't even heard him enter. "Mal-Mr. Malfoy!" she quickly corrected herself, nearly laughing at how easy it was to address him as if they were still children and how strange it was to call him such a formal title now. "We weren't expecting you," she said as she moved forward to greet him politely.

"No need to be so formal Granger," he smirked, not unkindly and he shook his head at her. "Calling me Mr. Malfoy reminds me too much of my father and I'd rather not go down that road if you don't mind," he said as he came to a stop in front of her. "Just as long as you don't call me the forbidding 'f' word, were in the good."

"Frustrating?" she joked.

"Ferret," he grimaced with a shudder before mock-glaring at her. She couldn't help but laugh in return. Luckily, he seemed to be gracing her with a sense of humor today as instead of getting angry he merely gave her a cheeky smile in return.

Draco Malfoy had done a lot of growing up over the years. The loss of his friend Crabbe and the re-imprisonment and eventual death of his father had really hit him hard after the war. Suddenly he'd found himself in charge of all the Malfoy assets and in need of somehow repairing his family's once unbreakable reputation. And on top of that, he'd had to take care of his heartbroken mother. It had been a rough road for him as he'd been forced to rethink everything he'd ever known. Harry Potter, his school nemesis had been the only thing between him, his mother, and a life sentence of imprisonment himself.

After Harry's testimony he'd been forced to give a sizable amount of the family fortune to charity as well as having to perform community service to help families who'd suffered the most during the war. The experience seemed to have humbled him a bit. A few years later he'd become reacquainted with an old schoolmate Astoria Greengrass and they'd married and settled down. He could still be very arrogant and every now and then was known to accidentally slip and say things that were less than savory, but for the most part he tried to be civil and had been successful at clearing their names. Currently he was even serving on the board of governors for the school and as far as she knew he hadn't abused the privilege.

Not much had changed about him looks wise. He was older now and like Hermione he had a few frown lines, but it didn't take away from his overall appearance. His hair was still the same light blonde-nearly white color it had always been though the cut was slightly different. He now kept it neatly trimmed short with his bangs only slightly longer in the front to add a bit of style. She also noted that he still wore the top designer in robes along with a crisp vest and tie beneath giving him a professional yet still semi-cool look. The only thing noticeably different to her was his eyes. Gone were the ignorant silver orbs that had always pierced her with such hate when they were younger. Instead, his eyes now held wisdom and perhaps a bit of vigilance. It suited him, really.

"So, how long has that been going on?" he prodded casual, jerking his head in the direction of where the two boys had previously stood.

"Oh, only a few days," she said with a shrug as she glanced in that direction, then returned her gaze to him. "Weirdly enough, it was fairly similar to how you'd originally propositioned Harry. Only the exact opposite."

"I'd imagine so," he said with a quirk of his brow. "Scorpius had written that he had a new friend, but never mentioned who. I suppose I understand now why he had reservations."

Misunderstanding his meaning, Hermione immediately took the defense as she furrowed her brows in disapproval. "Draco, surely you wouldn't prevent them from-?"

"What? No!" he interrupted her train of thought, holding up his hands to stop her. "I only meant that he knows that Potter and I never got on. No need to put your knickers in a twist. I'm not going to stop them from being friends or anything like that."

"Oh…" she finished lamely, suddenly feeling foolish for jumping to conclusions. Changing the subject quickly she addressed him again. "So what can I do for you today, Draco? Surely you didn't come here to chat with me of all people and I know the Governors have already had their inspections this semester."

"Yes they have," he agreed. "I'm actually not here on business today. It's more of a personal visit, really." At her questioning look he continued. "I don't need to see Scorpius though. From what I hear he's been doing fine… I was actually hoping to see my Godfather?"

"I'm sorry?" she said, completely thrown for a loop by his request.

"Severus," he supplied. "My son's letters said he had returned?"

Her mouth formed a slight 'o' and she nodded at him. "Yes, we were all quite surprised. No one's ever heard of something like this happening so long after someone's died. He should be in the dungeons. Do you want me to…?"

"No, Granger," he chuckled. "I think I can handle finding the dungeons on my own." He moved to walk passed her and was surprised when she placed a hand on his arm to stop him.

"I just wanted to let you know that you have a good kid, Draco," she told him honestly.

"Thanks," he said simply with a small smile before heading toward the stairwell. "See you around, Granger."

A short while later, Draco sighed as he was met with the familiar coolness of the dungeon halls. He closed his eyes a moment as a sense of nostalgia washed over him. He had experienced so many things in these old halls. He'd known his best times and his absolute worst times here. It was almost overwhelming for him even after all of these years.

"Draco," a familiar baritone rumbled through the silence sending shivers down his spine. "An unexpected surprise."

Slowly, Draco opened his eyes as he was met with the glowing form of his Godfather. "Severus," he greeted, standing his ground to the still intimidating figure. "I'd heard you were here," he said in a voice that seemed almost relieved.

"As much as I must say it is… interesting to see you. I have no intentions of being gawked at by every former student or person I've ever met," he scowled and made a move to turn away. But something in Draco's next words made him stop dead in his tracks.

"Oh, I'm not here out of curiosity or that rot," Draco replied with a slight edge in his voice. "I'm here to find out what your sudden reentry into the world has to do with this." He sneered, wrenching up his sleeve on his cloak to reveal his left forearm. Much too both men's chagrin, where there should have been a faded scar now held a very clear and almost irritated looking Dark Mark in all its original glory. "I think we should talk."

"Step into my office…"

A/N: What could this mean?Please read, review, and fav! Thanks!