Author's Note: Here's a big update since it's been a while. Sorry!

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Chapter 12:

"How many houses does your family own?" Albus' voice rang out, scratching at Scorpius' eardrums as he led his companion down the pale halls of the London Manor. The house was much warmer than the others, with rare splashes of color dashed around for the effect of welcoming their guests but Scorpius didn't have an eye for appeal as such. He liked the darker interiors like those in Malfoy Manor, with oxy blacks so colorless that they seemed to swallow him up and granites that were hard to the touch. This house was...fine...but it wasn't his home. There was a very distinct difference between the two and he doubted someone like Albus would understand. To the boy beside him, it was as grand as the Buckingham Palace- or something of that stature; regal and enriched as if for members of the royal family. Scorpius hadn't bothered trying to explain that in the Wizarding World, the Malfoy's were royalty because he knew it would somehow result in an admission on his part that the name Potter was just as such, even if they didn't have an eighth of the amount of treasures in their vaults. Not even a tenth. So, he simply stayed quiet and continued to lead Albus around to show him the house as his mother had suggested. The top floor had taken less than ten minutes and Scorpius had hoped the ground floor would be the same but Albus had began to ask questions, much to his disdain, and they had yet to get to the East Wing.

At Albus' question, he shrugged, knowing it would be rude to turn a cold shoulder onto his houseguest. "I'm not entirely sure," he admitted. "I think there's seven Manors but I've lost count of all the company properties. It's not something that I keep up with." Nor care about.

Albus' mouth dropped open. "Seven houses…" he repeated dumbly. "How-"

"The Malfoy family is old money," Scorpius droned on. It was like clockwork, wired into his brain after countless hours hearing his grandfather teach him of their lineage. "We own several businesses but our main one is the family corporation. My father runs it now but it's been handed down throughout the generations."

"So then one day it'll be yours?"

Scorpius slowed his steps, raising his brows at the other boy. "Considering I am the sole Malfoy heir, then yes. My father would rather die than have to give the company to someone that wasn't...us. And even if he tried to," he let out a scoff, "I'm more than positive that my grandfather would hex him at the thought." He watched as several emotions flickered across Albus' face.

"Well what if your parents have another child? Does that mean-"

"My parents aren't having any other children," he snapped. All amusement he had had vanished, his face dropping in the blink of an eye. But immediately, he knew he had been in the wrong. He wasn't supposed to be getting loud with Albus. He was supposed to be making a new friend. Good son. Good son. Good son. It was getting harder and harder to remember the longer he stayed in close proximity to Albus. He just wasn't used to this, being constantly followed like- like- a prisoner. He was becoming a prisoner in his home. At the thought, he could feel the familiar tingle creep up his spine, seeping into his bloodstream in outrage. He had to clench his jaw hard to fight the urge and forced his attention off of Albus towards a door that led to the outdoor terrace, something - anything - to get his thoughts shifted from his inner turmoil. With an awkward clearing of his throat, he tried to ease back into an atmosphere of comfort for the two - or more specifically, Albus. "You know, cause they have their hands full with me," he threw out a chuckle. The upturn of the corners of his lips was painful against the real emotions that threatened to show and he turned to grin teasingly at Albus, further straining himself beyond his abilities.

But Albus, as always, stayed oblivious and let out his own bark of a laugh, stepping up beside him to look out of the windows. "That's a shame then," he mumbled softly, almost as if it were only for his ears to hear, however, Scorpius' hearing had perked up at the whisper and his eyes flicked over to the other, closely analyzing Albus' face.

"Why's that?"

Albus flinched slightly, his face morphing into surprise that he had heard. A blush began to tint his cheeks as he looked down at his feet. The expression instantly gained Scorpius' attention and he couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

"It's just…" Albus slowly began, looking entirely unsure of himself. "Your mother is very affectionate, the way she acts and treats others...there's so many kids out there that would kill for a mother like her. It's almost as if it's unfair that all of her affection goes directly to you. Y'know?"

Scorpius let his gaze linger, not knowing exactly how to respond. He couldn't refute Albus' words because they had all been true. His mother was affectionate, there was no doubt about it, but what was he to say? That he was unhappy that there were children in the world without a mother or that he was unhappy there weren't more children that his mother's affections? Both of them would have been lies on his part because he didn't give a damn about the other children in the world and there wouldn't ever be other children that his parents had. He didn't have to waste his time on the matter because it would never happen. There was just no logical point and his mother had always taught him to take matters into account from a logical standpoint.

But, to appease Albus, he pretended to nod his head in understanding, dragging his stormy gaze back out towards the window. There was several long minutes of silence that passed between the two of them as they simply looked out the window. It was entirely uncomfortable for Scorpius as he could practically feel Albus' emotions radiating from his being. Emotions weren't a good thing to have and it was even worse to show them to others. The boy was far too reckless for his own good. He was too weak and it would only be a matter of time before the Potter's enemies got a whiff of his vulnerability and pounced on him as fast as the Killing Curse. Scorpius was nearly drenched in it from his position, that's how bad Albus' emotions reeked. It seemed that the fastest way to destroy someone from the inside out was to kill their someone they loved, at least that's what Scorpius gathered from Albus. The absence of the matriarch figure was breaking Albus, pulling him apart piece by piece and in his misery, Scorpius had to fight the grin that threatened to appear. He had to swallow down his laughter as he glanced in the other's direction. There was something awfully silly about the depressed emotion on someone's face.

"Do you want to know what I think?" he asked, raising a curious brow. At Albus' nod, he continued, "People have a tendency to hear and see what they want because they're afraid of destroying their own illusions," he said as he watched the leaves in the trees sway in the wind in unison. "Children are the same with their parents. We look up to them because they're the ones that know us the best and essentially they are the ones we become. Our mothers and fathers mean the world to us because they are our world. But, you see," he tilted his head to the side as a flock of birds flew threw the yard, "that's where the illusions begin. A parent's love for their child is forgiving and patient when all others are forsaking. It never fails or falters even when it's suppose to. But like our parents, children chose what they want to see and that's where the downside is. When parents see no wrong, then the children will see no wrong. Ignorance is the root and stem of every sin."

Albus' brows furrowed slightly, turning his head to look at him. "Are you saying that your mother's affections are an illusion to myself?"

"In a sense, yes," Scorpius didn't turn. "You've just lost your own mother so you automatically cling to the closest one you can find. Which I don't blame you because my mother is affectionate, I mean, she allowed you to stay in our house despite how-" he cut himself off with a forced swallow. "There's always a line that we chose to ignore, Albus. If the moment would come down to it, my mother would push you aside if she had to - if it meant she got to myself or my father - and she wouldn't spare you a glance. My mother's affection has limitations but you can't see it because of your ignorance." It was then that he tore his gaze away from the window and turned towards Albus, watching him carefully. He was waiting for the subtlest sign of Albus' composure crumbling; like a snake watching its prey before it sunk its fangs into the flesh, drawing blood and watch it pool beneath his body.

But Albus could only stare, shaking his head back and forth. He didn't believe him, Scorpius knew, and there wasn't much keeping him from shaking his own head in disbelief at Albus' sheer stupidity. It was truly fascinating to watch an individual so...fickle, getting to watch them up close and personal to see their flaws and think of all the ways to submit them against their own will. It would be tricky with someone as guarded as Albus but the possibility was still there, challenging him otherwise. Scor, however, didn't know if the challenge would be worth the trouble.

"You're wrong."

The breath he had taken got stuck in his esophagus. It had felt like he had been doused in a tub of ice cold water; like Albus had directly slapped him hard across the face and a bright red print was etched in his cheek. Wrong. What an abnormal word to be associated with someone like him. He couldn't even recall if anyone had ever said that word to him before. It made him feel inapt, a stranger in his own body as he stared in outrage at Albus.

"I'm sorry?" his voice had taken a hard tone.

Albus nodded his head slowly, a stupid aloof smile on his face as he dared to meet molten silver. "I said," he exaggerated, and Scor saw red tint his vision, "you're wrong - about your mom. I think it would matter about the circumstances if she were to have to choose someone over another."

Scor's brows furrowed. He was eyeing the other individual with avid attention trying to decipher if Albus really could be this-this fucking unbelievable! He could feel his face twitching as it ached to show emotion, a subtle sneer or a frown or something. "My mother would never choose you over me, Albus. She's only known you for a day."

Albus shrugged, that stupid smile still on his face and Scor wanted nothing more than to reach across the space between them and tear into the boy's flesh until there was nothing left. "I don't know, I think she likes me. My dad and her have been friends for years-"

"Estranged," he corrected. "They haven't talked in years until your father sent that letter crying like a-" but when Albus' brows skyrocketed into his hairline, Scor was quick to swallow down his words. He couldn't go there...couldn't speak those words. "My mother may care for many people but you're incredibly dense if you believe you mean more to her than I do. That would be like saying your mother would choose me over you." The words had spewed from his mouth before he had realized it. He knew it was a low blow to bring up the dead Mrs. Potter but at this point, Scorpius didn't give a flying fuck.

"Like I said before, it would matter on the circumstances," Albus finalized.

He scoffed as he forced his head away. He could no longer deal with Albus' arrogance and needed to occupy his mind with something other than strangling the boy with his bare hands. It was one of the hardest things he had ever faced in his life. Albus deserved to be taught a lesson. He deserved-

Scor turned around as he heard footsteps frantically running up the stairs. From the corner of his eye, he saw Albus tense, his green eyes wide and scared as they awaited the individual who was approaching but from the sounds of the movement, Scor knew exactly who it was. A pair of brothers, one as refined as him and the other as wild as the night.

Talon was the first one to reach the top of the stairs, his chest heaving in excitement and exhaust from his rapid movements but nonetheless he smiled, a toothless smile, when he caught sight of him. If there was anyone that Scorpius considered innocent, the seven year old before him was it. Yes, there were times when Talon was beyond tolerable but the boy was still someone that Scor held of importance, him and -

"Part of me swore my parents were trying to pull some sad prank but I knew they could've done better. Still, it was easier to believe than you having a new friend, especially someone with such a...proclaimed surname," Axel drawled out, briefly dismissing Albus as he turned and focused on him. "However, it appears that miracles do happen." The boy crossed his tanned arms and raised his brows in astonishment.

"It appears so," Scor muttered dryly. Axel didn't bother to hide his grin of amusement at his disdain but it was quickly smothered when Talon raced to stand in front of Albus.

If Albus was being honest, he hadn't seen so much energy cooped up in one small body in a very, very long time. The young boy reminded him oddly of a firework, crackling with energy and happiness that he couldn't help but smile down at his small form. The boy was so much more refreshing compared to the cold exterior that Scorpius was and if he were to go by looks alone, the other boy didn't seem too friendly either. The older boy was dressed in dark robes and loafers that heavily resembled the ensemble that he had gotten used to Scor wearing but there was something in the boy's hazel stare that the Malfoy heir didn't possess. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was...but it was something. However, he could feel Scor's friend's gaze harden when the younger brother ventured near.

"Is Harry Potter your father?" the young boy looked up at him with eager eyes. Albus barely had time to utter an awkward reply before the boy's tongue began to run loose again. "Do you like him? My father doesn't. Neither does Uncle Draco."

Axel sighed heavily. "Talon," he warned his younger brother. "Remember what mother said." Talon's eyes widened and he quickly clamped one of his hands over his mouth as he shuffled closer to his older brother. Axel slyly snaked one of his arms around Talon's shoulders and pulled him back. "Forget that," he forced a laugh. "Talon has quite the talent for making things up, right Scor?"

Scorpius blinked. Did he really need to lie? He hadn't made a noise until he caught Axel's pointed glare in his direction. So much for nothing, he thought. "Yes," he left simply, finding that he didn't have the effort to elaborate. It wasn't what Axel had wanted but it would do it's job just fine. An excuse was always simply a string of lies and it hardly mattered how intricate it was thought out, especially for someone like Albus. A lie would still be a lie, there was no changing that.

As he knew, Albus nodded his head in acceptance of the weak lie and looked helplessly towards him. The look almost took Scor back in confusion until he realized that he hadn't introduced them to each other. Axel had been waiting for him to do so and it was apparent that Albus had too. It was easy to forget sometimes that people still expected propriety in simply moments like this. If it had been the other way around and he had been at the Zabini Manor when Axel had a friend over, he wouldn't have batted an eyelash in their direction he wouldn't have given a damn. He had expected that Axel would've been the same. Or maybe he was and it would just be rude for him to at least introduce himself. Scor had a funny feeling that it was the later and that Axel and Talon had been given an ear full before they arrived, just like his own mother had done so before Albus had shown up. Their mothers did have a tendency to do and say practically the same things. He mused that the two of them must have shared a moral compass and sat together sipping tea while they discussed their parenting methods. They were probably doing it right now…

"Albus, this is Axel-," he nodded towards the older boy before doing the same to the younger one "-and Talon Zabini. They're my…" He paused, not really knowing what to describe their relationship. They were definitely friends but the term didn't fit entirely. The two were more than that; they had all known each other the second they were brought into the world so family was the only word that Scor could think of but he wouldn't admit that aloud, not to Albus. "They're my parents godchildren."

That seemed to spike Albus' attention and his head swirled to gaze at the two brothers as if he had just seen them in a new light. "Hermione and Mr. Malfoy are your godparents?" Axel's brow twitched and his eyes quickly flickered to Scor but he stayed staring directly at Albus, unstirred.

"Uh, yes," Axel drawled out slowly. "Or at least they were the last time I checked." Talon's brows scrunched together as he quickly looked up at his brother in confusion, ready to spew his questions, but Axel's arm hurriedly looped loosely around the young boy's neck to silence him and, without looking down, grinned at Albus.

Albus, however, wasn't paying any mind and had his focus back on Scorpius. "I didn't know your parents had godchildren. Is there more? Do you know if-"

Scor rolled his neck in agitation and with a huff, he turned his head towards the window. "Let's go outside and get some fresh air," he suggested. It was quite random but he wasn't going to stand there and play fifty questions with Albus. "Besides, it's been far too long since I've gone outside."

Axel's eyes snapped towards him instantly but if Albus saw, he didn't comment on it. It was only when Talon laughed, abruptly turning to race back to the stairs, that snapped everyone back to life as the three of them followed after the seven year old.

oOoOoOoOoOo

She always enjoyed the small moments like this, the sheer bliss in everyday life. At one point in her life she had thought that she would have died young, another life lost in the brutality of war. She had been almost certain that she would have never lived past twenty. Being the best friend of the Chosen One and the world's most reclaimed Muggleborn, the chances of survival had been slim. Yet, here she was. Alive and well, with a family of her own. She knew that the way her life turned out was considered quite ironic to many, being the wife of one of the most ancestral pureblood family but somehow, that's what mattered the most to her now. The life she had lived so long ago seemed just like memories now, because that's all they were- just random glimpses into the past with people she didn't know anymore. Many had died while some simply disappeared into the abyss of life. Too many of her old friends had shunned themselves away from the life they had all known and stuck to themselves as much as they could. The nightmares of war and watching those you care about disappear, tended to have its effect on people and like she learned, it was better to let them go than to force them to readjust to the new Wizarding World.

But if there was anyone that she appreciated more than anyone else, it was the witch that had stuck with her through all of these long years. Ginny was one of the only connections she had left to her days at Hogwarts and really, the woman had become her sister after everything they had been through. It was perfect how everything turned out, despite the horridly rocky start they had each gotten after the war. Falling in love with despised pureblood men certainly hadn't bode well with the rest of Wizarding society and when the rest of the world shunned them, they had each other to support. Therefore, once their sons were born, it was as if all the pieces had fallen perfectly together. Life after the war had been everything she had never expected even with the small moments such as days like this, casually preparing lunch with her best friend as their children played together upstairs and their husbands shared a drink in the next room over. This was everything she had ever needed, the both of them.

"He looks just like Harry did as a child," she said as turned from the large stove. "I mean, he doesn't wear glasses but I swear when I first saw him, I thought I had somehow accidentally spun my time turner back a few decades."

"Right," Ginny said with a laugh. "As if your time turner could magically escape from its secured vault in the Ministry. Do you realize that there is more security in the wing that holds the time turners than there is in the entire building?"

Hermione gave her an amused look, one that Ginny understood immediately. Her redheaded friend knew that Hermione had been one of the individuals to establish the security around the time turners. She had made it one of her top priorities when she had been employed and made sure the Minister believed the same before she had left. No one needed to dive back into the past and unleash chaos upon the public...again.

"And Scor gets along with him?" Ginny asked with a raised brow.

She nodded her head, focusing her attention on the remnant ingredients still littering the island counter. "Well enough."

Ginny's brown eyes peered at her skeptically. "Is that a half-arsed answer or a trying-to-avoid-the-subject answer? Didn't Draco say he was going to teach you how to lie better?"

She scoffed, bringing up a glass to her lips. "I am an excellent liar, I'll have you know. Or did you happen to forget that I was the one who successfully got rid of Umbridge during my fifth year?"

"So," Ginny leaned onto the counter, her eyes bright, "you were trying to avoid the subject. "Is it on Scor's behalf or…"

"It's neither of their fault," Hermione admitted with a grimace. "It's mine, really. I all but threw Albus onto Scor and I know he's trying his best but...you can't just force children together and expect them to play together as if they're toddlers, Gin. Draco tried to tell me but I was so-" she waved her hand in the air "-curious to see what Harry wanted after all of these years. Does that make me selfish for trying to help his son?"

"Of course it doesn't," Ginny shook her head. "You were doing the right thing. It was brave of you to even consider talking to him after he left, let alone take in his child. I...I don't know if I would've done the same."

She nodded her head silently, knowing that Ginny was speaking the truth. When her friend as Harry had split, it had been twice as ugly as her engagement to Draco. The things Harry had said about Ginny to her friends and family had been awful... there simply was no chance of reconciliation. Ever. And even if Ginny had the slightest thought for making it possible, Hermione knew that Blaise would never allow it. He wouldn't let her pride diminish at the hands of Harry again, and as much as it hurt to say, Hermione wouldn't blame him. She too still had so much abhorrence towards her old friend but by powers out of her understanding, she had felt pity for his children. She could never willingly abandon a child when she was needed but as wanted to help Albus, she couldn't comprehend -

"But you know what I don't understand, out of everything?" she brought the cup down and looked at Ginny. "Why would Harry owl me of all people? He has - had? - Ron and the rest of your family. I should have been the last person he considered but I wasn't. Harry knew what he was asking of me and of Draco, yet he asked anyway. Doesn't that seem...odd?"

Ginny averted her gaze. "Blaise said the same thing, nearly word for word, actually," she said with a weak laugh, one that barely reached Hermione's ears. "I have no clue if Harry is still in contact with the others but when they find out he's back, they're going to demand answers. Heck, the entire Wizarding World is going to want answers and if they find out you had his son for all this time, don't you think the press is going to be all over you?"

She snorted, "I wasn't aware they ever left me alone."

"I'm serious Hermione," Ginny stared at her in disbelief. "With Harry back, it's going to be a huge -" she quickly turned her head towards the door and lowered her voice "- shitestorm. Are you sure you want to be in the middle of this? Again?"

"Of course not. I simply helped Harry's son, that's it," she said with reassurement. "Whatever happens after Albus leaves the care of my family, that's on Harry alone. I'm not going to be dragged into anything. I owe nothing to him or the rest of the Wizarding World and if he doesn't like it, then he can go to Ron or whoever else wants to bow at his feet. He dropped me like I was nothing, Gin. He acted as if a decade of friendship had meant nothing. As if all those times I stuck by his side held no importance to him and just like he did it to me, I can do it to him. Harry is nothing but a childhood friend now and I'm not going to get hauled into more drama because of him. I've done my part. All that matters to me are those in this house at this very moment."

Ginny nodded her head but Hermione knew her thoughts were flying thousands of miles per minute. Harry had yet to make his return public and already the tensions were starting to get high. Hermione knew how crazy it was going to get and she knew that Ginny did too. She knew that the both of them understood what that would mean for their families too. Even if neither of them ever talked to Harry again, their past relationships would haunt them. Ginny would, and always, be known as the girl who loved Harry and she, would and always be known as the third member of the Golden Trio. There was no escaping that and she had realized that long ago.

She sighed, deep in thought when Talon came zooming into the room and ran straight to her, wrapping his arms around her legs in a fierce hug. With a bright smile, she leaned down to pick him up and spotted the older three boys make their way into the kitchen.

"What are you young lads up to?" she said as she sat Talon onto the island counter, where he immediately dug into the small bowl of grapes she had gotten out. From the corner of her eye, she could see as Ginny wordlessly took Albus in, her eyes darting from the hairs on his head to the shoes on his feet. He was standing quietly by the farthest side of the counter, away from Ginny and was watching them all as they moved about.

Scorpius made his way to her side and snagged a few grapes of his own as Axel wordlessly grabbed a glass and poured himself a drink from the pitcher. "We're going to go outside for a bit," Scor answered. "I figured I'd show Albus the yard since we'll be here for the rest of his stay. Will that be alright?"

She nodded her head before she kissed the top of his head. "Only for a while, okay?" she said. "Dinner's almost ready."

A smile stretched across her son's face and nodded towards Axel. Both of the boys were quick to make their way towards the terrace doors, Albus following closely behind. She lowered her attention onto Talon when she realized he hadn't moved and at the sound of her voice, the older three had stopped their movement.

"Talon, don't you want to go play with them too?"

Her young godson brought his head up to her and sent the boys a quick glance. "No," he shook his head. "I wanna make cookies."

Ginny chuckled. "Of course," she shook her head. "My baby wants more sugar."

"Well," she bent down to retrieve a large bowl from one of the lower cabinets, "let's make cookies then." She laughed when Talon kicked out his legs in excitement as she placed a package of chocolate chips beside him and waved her hand at the boys when they continued on their way.

However, before the door shut completely, Axel stuck his head in through the door. "Can you please make some with oatmeal?"

She lifted a bag of fine oats and grinned at him. "Already on it, love."

"You're the best Aunt 'Mione," he smiled before he slipped out the door once more.

"Oh, believe me I know," she whispered, sharing a quick smile with Ginny just as she placed a chocolate chip on her tongue.

oOoOoOoOoOo

"Is the boy...normal?"

Draco scoffed, tilting his head back as he let the firewhiskey slip down his throat.

"Well, come on mate, his name is Albus. I knew Potter was practically in love with the old Headmaster but for Merlin's sake that's just weird. That would be like you naming Scor Severus."

"As if Hermione would've allowed that to happen. I praised Salazar when she agreed on a celestial name. At one point I was certain my first born was going to be named after an author."

A laugh escaped Blaise's mouth. "I remember that. It was either Henry or George," he shook his head in disbelief. "And then at one point didn't she consider Rudyard?"

"Yeah, that wasn't going to happen," he grimaced. They had spent hours deciding on their son's first name and when Hermione had taken the 'author' approach, he had begged for Ginny to talk her out of it. It had been a humiliating experience to willingly plead with his wife's best friend but desperate times had caused for desperate measures. There had been no way in hell that he would've named his son after another man, muggle or not. "Besides, nothing tops naming a child after a Weasley," he quirked, watching as Blaise threw him a glare.

"As you so correctly said, that wasn't going to happen."

"I don't know, Blaise. Eventually you'll run out of names if you keep spawning at this rate. What it is it with Weasley's having the complex of it being their sole duty to repopulate the Wizarding World?"

Blaise shook his head slowly, his eyes staring at the magical painting of a snake above the mantel. "I have no fucking clue. There has to be at least a dozen nieces and nephews that I don't know about. At least Weasel King had the decency to not bless the world with a child. Can you imagine that?" he pretended to shudder.

He turned his head slightly to gaze questioningly at his friend. "You consider those children your family?" With a start, Draco realized that they had never talked about the other Weasley children before. It was quite odd considering he knew that there was a handful of them already but he had never once put himself in Blaise's shoes. He had never thought about it either. With being married to Hermione he didn't have to worry about keeping up with stray nieces and nephews because he didn't have any. It was all about Scorpius and his godchildren - Axel and Talon. And for Blaise he had always assumed it was the same.

Blaise shrugged, blinking his attention back to him. "I suppose it's pointless considering I'll never have to...I don't know...talk to them or whatever. I've never had to deal with Ginny's brothers and that ultimately disconnects us from the kids. I'm sure it would mean the world to her to have some huge, sappy family reunion but as long as I'm in the picture, that won't ever happen," he mumbled softly. "Hogwarts might be strange for Axel when he starts. I'm sure there's going to be a cousin of his in some year."

He silently nodded his head. It wasn't as if Axel was going to be devastated though. The boy was tough, a Slytherin through and through. The eldest Zabini didn't pity himself with things that didn't matter, much like Blaise did. And honestly, Axel would probably have a better start than the Weasley brood. Axel had been exposed to other children ranging around his age much like Scorpius had. Even though both of their families had handpicked who their children came into contact with, Draco knew through the Wizarding grapevine that the Weasley's kept to themselves only. They liked to pretend that they were all some proclaimed war heroes and that no one was good enough to be in their graces, only their blood. Which, now that he thought of it, might explain their uncanny ability to reproduce like rabbits.

"He'll be fine," he reassured him. "Knowing Axel, he'll purposefully bully them like there's no tomorrow."

With a laugh, Blaise lazily strolled towards the large window, still nursing the firewhiskey in his hand. "With our luck, the two of them-," he jutted his chin out the window where their sons were, "-are going to be worse than you, Goyle, and Crabbe. I can already see the howlers from McGonagall piling up on my desk."

"Not a chance," he shook his head. "Hermione and Ginny were two of her favorite students, remember?"

Blaise turned from the window, looking at him incredulously. "That's exactly why we're", he used his free hand to signal to the both of them, "going to get howlers. She probably hates that we married them. I'd be willing to bet that they all thought Ginny was going to end up with Potter while Hermione shacked up with the Weasel King." Draco opened his mouth to retort but Blaise was quick to silence him. "And don't try to deny it, Draco."

"With all do respect I do think that McGonagall was the fairest professor we had. She didn't hold a bias against any of us and I doubt she would with the next generation. I would've said Slughorn but that man hated me for no damn reason."

"No damn reason?" Blaise grinned at him. "You can't think of one at all?"

"If you're implying that I was an arse-"

"You still are an arse."

"But I'm a better arse, and that's what matters."

Blaise snorted. "If that makes you sleep better at night, then sure," he flashed him a toothy smile before turning back around to gaze out the window. There were several seconds of silence that passed before Blaise cocked his head to the side. "What are they doing?" he asked with a raised, elegant brow. His arm was perched alongside the windowframe as he leaned forward, dark eyes trained on something Draco couldn't see. His friend's expression was enough to spike his own curiosity and with a push out of his chair, he strided across the sitting room and stood beside Blaise, his own eyes scanning the yard until he caught the sight of his son. His brows furrowed as he took in the sight of Scorpius lying flat on his stomach along the pool edge with his hands stretched out across the surface. Even more stranger, Axel was doing the same. There was no telling what the two boys were doing and he nearly laughed at the sight until he realized that the boys weren't simply dipping their fingers into the pool just for the hell of it. Scorpius and Axel were trying and failing to grab the third boy who was thrashing in the water.

The tumbler slipped from his grasp and spilled its contents across the wooden floor just as he lept for the door.

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Ending Note: Didn't mean to update so late but oh well. Next update should be up soon.