Author's note: you guys rock. Seriously I got so many nice reviews from the last chapter. I'm glad you are enjoying the story and don't worry, Harry will soon stop being so naive, I promise. On another note sorry for being such a lazy author. Anywho, please enjoy!

The house seems so empty as I walk back inside from seeing Aunt Andromeda off. She couldn't stay here forever, even though I offered, she is a great deal of help with Scorpius, but she needs to get back to her own home because her grandson, Teddy will be coming home for the Christmas break from Hogwarts. I invited her and teddy to come round for Christmas, but she politely declined saying that they were going to the Weasley's as they did every year.

Scorpius holds onto my hand tightly as we walk back inside the manor. It had been snowing heavily all of last night and while the grey sky help the threat of snow none actually fell. Still it was rather cold and so Scorpius is dressed up in warm black robes with a big green scarf wrapped around his neck. I must admit he does look adorable.

"Father what will we do today?"

"I have to go to work," I say as the doors close behind us. I kneel and begin to unwrap the large, fluffy scarf from around my son. His cheeks are rosy from the cold and his nose is a little runny so I take out my own handkerchief from my pocket and wiped the snot away. I hope that he does not catch a cold; I don't know how to deal with that. I suppose I should buy some books on how to take care of sick children when I'm in Diagon Alley next time.

"Who will watch me?"

I haven't thought about that. Before Andromeda came I had been having the house elves keep an eye on my son, but seeing him stare at me with such lugubrious eyes I realize that I do not want to leave him behind with only the help as company. Scorpius has become quite sullen since my mother's funeral, staying painfully quite. Before he was just shy and intense, but now he seems so sad. I have wondered if maybe I ought to set up another play date for him, it won't do for him to stay in this large manor all alone, but the only friend he has is Albus Potter. I have not spoken with Potter for a week now and he has, in turn, not attempted to contact me. I moped over it the first two days, holing myself up in my room, but after realizing how melodramatic it all was I have since only been in my room to sleep. Still contacting Potter is not on my list of things to do.

"How about you come to work with me?" I suggest.

Scorpius's eyes grow wide. "I won't be in the way?"

"Not at all, bring a book or some toys. We can even go out to lunch together."

Scorpius gives a small smile. "I would like that."

"You just have to promise to be quiet because I do have to work."

Scorpius nods. "I promise."

I give a small smile and stand up, and hand the scarf to him; I will end up putting back on in a bit when we leave, but that is alright. It is warm inside the manor and he might become over-heated if he wears it.

"Good. Go grab what you need and then meet me back here in ten minutes."

Scorpius gives another nod and then goes off to his room to grab something to entertain him while he sits in my office.

I continue to smile as I watch him go. It will be alright to bring him because for one I do own the company and if an important spur of the moment business call needs to be made Milo can watch him. I don't know how Milo is with kids, but I have no doubt that he will treat my son with anything less than the respect he gives me.

I walk up to my study to grab my briefcase that has some important papers that Milo has owled me in my absence, but that I haven't yet been able to look at due to my private life. I have been allowing my private life to take up far too much of my life.

Back in the entrance hall Scorpius waits for me, he looks excited though it is hard to tell as his face looks serious as usual, but there is a bit of a gaiety in the way that his blue eyes gleam.

"Ready?" I ask.

"Yes sir."

I take his hand and lead him to the sitting room off to the side. "You have used a floo before, yes?" Scorpius nods. We have not used the Floo yet together so I have to be sure. "Alright then. Say Malfoy Potion's head office and it will take you to my office. I will follow after."

"Okay."

Scorpius grabs a tiny handful of Floo Powder and then says the words clearly. A burst of green flames envelopes him. They die down and he is gone. I reach over, grab my own handful of Floo powder and then I too am transported to my office.

Scorpius is standing by my next and so is Milo, which is no surprise as he had probably heard Scorpius coming in from outside my office door where his desk is.

"Mr.. Malfoy," Milo says as cordially and business-like as ever. "I am glad to see that you have come in today. I trust that your personal affairs have been dealt with?"

I give Milo a nod. This is why I keep Milo, he knows just what to say and how I like it said. He does not try to get too close to me and knows his place but he is always there for me.

"I see that your son will be joining you today. Shall I get something to entertain young Master Scorpius?"

Scorpius gives a small blush at being addressed as such from someone who is not a house elf. "Please do. I have a meeting in half an hour. Scorpious listen to Mr.. Crossborne and tell him what you need," I tell them.

"Yes Fathers" Scorpius says.

I give him a small smile and pat his head affectionately. "I will see you for lunch." I tell him and then look at Milo who is standing there quietly, waiting for me to address him. "Milo I need you to get me the papers for today's meeting and a cup of tea and some apple juice for my son." I happen to know that Scorpius is rather fond of this drink.

"The papers are already on your desk, Sir."

"Very good Milo. Now off you go."

Milo gives a nod and then leaves my office to go get me some tea and Scorpius his juice.

The sun has set and I have three more reports to read, one from the Department of Health Potions and two from the Department of Finance. I look over at Scorpius who is sitting on the floor by the window, working on a puzzle that Milo had brought him. I feel bad for taking him with me too work now especially since I was not able to take him out to lunch and had to have Milo take him out instead. I rest my forehead in my hand and give a long sigh. Raising him on my own might be harder than I thought. Of course I want to keep him with me even though Astoria said she would take him back, but she is just as busy as I am. I continue to look at him my lips slightly pursued as I think about it, completely ignoring the reports I ought to be reading. I need to find someone to watch him and not house elves. Someone warm and good with children. I could ask Aunt Andromeda but she lives in Wales and the floo system over there gets rather wonky sometimes.

Knock, knock

I take my forehead from its resting place in my hand and look up at the door wearily. "Come in."

The door opens and in walks Milo. "Sir, Mister Harry Potter is here and would like to have a word with you."

I nearly groan. "He doesn't have an appointment with me," I say. "Tell him to make on and then come back. I am going to be taking Scorpius out for dinner in twenty minutes."

"Sir he insists that it is a most urgent matter."

"Fine," I say in annoyance and begin to tidy up my desk. I do not want to see Potter especially not like this. Coming back to work after such a long break has left me with a lot of work to do and on top of that I had three meetings to attend to and had to stagnant a quarrel between the Department of Love potions and and the Department of Cheering Potions. Needless to say I look less than my usual composed self with multiple strands having escaped the slicked back confinement of my gel from me running my hand over my hair so many times. Not to mention that my robes look disgruntled. "let him in."

"Yes Sir," Milo says and then begins to shush the door.

"Oh, Milo," I say, causing him to pause. "You can leave now. After I am done with Potter I too shall be leaving."

"Thank you Sir. Have a pleasant night," Milo says and then turns to my son and gives him a small smile. "Goodnight young Master Malfoy."

"Goodnight Mr.. Crossborne," my son says. It seems that they bonded a little while going out to lunch and that pleases me as Milo is much younger than myself and will hopefully stay with the company long enough to where ehe can become Scorpius's secretary when I retire and as tradition has it, hand over the company to Scorpious.

Milo gives us both a nod and then leaves. Within a minute Potter appears where Milo just was. Potter looks haggard, his hair messier than normal and his clothes looking a bit torn and dirty, plus it looks like he has not shaven in two days which leaves the attractive beginnings of a beard on his normally smooth face.

"Draco! I am so glad you're still in."

"Hello Potter," I say politely. "Do you have any business to discuss with me?"

He gives me a funny look. "I wanted to so if you might like to join me at the pub. I have been doing field work for four days now and a pint and some fish and chips sounds so good right now."

I frown slightly. Why did he invite me and not Weasley or one of his other closer friends. "No thank you Potter. I was just about to take my son out to dinner." I nod over towards Scorpius who is looking at Potter.

"Oh!" Potter blushes slightly. "Sorry Scorpius I didn't see you there. Maybe we could go somewhere else then?" he asks hopefully.

I look over at Scorpius to gauge his reaction. As if he can feel my inquisitive gaze he looks over at me and gives a small smile. I sigh. He doesn't mind if Potter joins us.

"I'll pay and-"-he goes over to my son and squats down in front of him with a big smile on his face-"-I'll even get you some ice-cream afterwards."

This brightens Scorpius's face. We do not eat very many sweets at home, I prefer to have fruit served for dessert with a yogurt or a pastry bread that is not too sweet, so the promise of ice-cream must appeal to my son very much.

"How low of you Potter, appealing to a small child's sweet tooth to get me to go out with you," I say as I place the reports that I have given up on reading in my briefcase for later tonight.

Potter stands up and gives me a cheeky grin. "I do what I have to. So you'll let me take you two out?"

"I suppose that I have no choice," I say.

"Brilliant!"

I give Potter a suspicious look as I pack up my things. Why is he doing this? Last time we saw one another I ran out on him upset after having practically yelling at him about my feelings for him. The lock on my briefcase clicked firmly and I pursed my lips slightly, what had he made of that moment? Had he been thinking about it this past week at all? Though from what he said he has been doing field work for awhile now. This raises the question of why he has come to invite me out right afterwards. I fasten my the clutch of my cloak at my throat and turn to look at the eginma that is Harry Potter. Will I ever know what he truly thinks of me?

"What are you thinking about?" Potter asks as he helps Scorpius with his own cloak.

"Work."

"Didn't look like work to me."

"Then what did it look like?"

"Dunno. Maybe that person you're in love with."

I give Potter and indignant look even though I feel embarrassed. I cannot believe that he remembered that! "Come on, we better hurry before all of the good restaurants close."

"I doubt any restaurant would close its doors when you are the one outside them," I comment. Potter rolls his eyes but says nothing to my comment.

"It's pretty cold out there, where are your gloves Scorpious?" Potter asks.

"I forgot them."

"Draco how could you allow your son to forgot his gloves?"

I click my tongue. "I was not planning for us to go out so late." I am now slightly annoyed with my son for making me appear to be a bad parent, but I cannot really blame him, he is young and he is probably used to spending his winters somewhere warm seeing as Astoria hates snow and so my flare of annoyance passes rather quickly.

"Did you bring your gloves?"

"Of course I-" I begin to say as I reach into my pocket to grab them but then a soft blush dusts my pale cheeks. They are not there.

Potter gives me a half amused and half exasperated look. "You Malfoys, here," he says peeling off one of the gloves from his hands and handing me one. I stare at it confused. "You wear one of mine and then with our bare hands we'll hold both of Scorpius's, and that way our body heat will keep our hands warm."

What an intimate and smart idea. I cannot really believe that Potter thought of it all on his own. "Here Draco," he says directing my attention back to the glove in his outstretched hand. I take it and put it on my hand, noting how warm it is. "Ready?"

I nod and so does my son.

Outside the wind is bitingly cold and there are little snowflakes falling gently to the ground. The lamp posts make up for there being no stars Diagon Alley is all dressed up for Christmas even though it is still a few weeks until the holiday arrives.

"Perfect night for a date, eh?" Potter says. I look over to see him smiling at me and I am glad for the cold which gives double meaning to my blush. What is he thinking? Did he figure out what I meant when I told him that I wanted him? My heart begins to beat a little faster, but I cannot bring myself to believe that Potter is that good at figuring things out, even if I think that I was rather clear. "So there where do you Malfoys want to go eat?"

"I do not particularly care where we go. Scorpius?" I ask and look down at my son who looks adorable all bundled up in his cloak and a scarf. As I look at him it finally registers what we must look like, with Potter and I holding my son's hands. We must look like a family.

"Father you look surprised?" Scorpius says in a perplexed voice.

"He's right. Did you have a sudden craving for something?" Potter asks.

My eyes look up at Potter who is smiling at me and I quickly look away, mollified. "No. Scorpius what are you hungry for?"

"Spaghetti," he says seriously, his young mind hopefully already forgetting the look on my face in light of food.

"Italian it is!" Potter declares and he begins walking off, Scorpius and I attached and following him.

Potter leads my son and I out of Diagon Alley and into Muggle London which is dressed up just as festively as Diagon Alley except their lamp posts emits a light more harsh than the ones where we have just come from.

"You don't have a problem eating in a Muggle restaurant, do you?" Potter asks. His question surprises me, it sounds considerate rather than judging. Though I am positive that Potter would think less of me if I said yes it is still interesting that he has asked.

"I do not have a problem with it," I answer.

"I didn't think so, but I mean I didn't want to make our meal uncomfortable."

"I bet you didn't," I mutter as we walk past shops all dressed up with white tinsel that sparkles and tempting or silly gifts for the season.

We finally arrive at a small restaurant tucked comfortably in between a clothing store and a store that is selling things that I cannot even begin to contemplate what they must be. The restaurant is called Felicio's and when the doors open the welcoming aroma of pastas with heavy sauces and Italian sausage coils its way around the cold wind outside.

As we approach I hear a small rumbling come from next to me.

"Sorry," Scorpius says softly and I squeeze his hand.

"It is alright," I assure him. "I understand, I am rather hungry myself."

"Good because they serve portions here that is almost on par with the portions in America."

I give a small laugh at Potter's joke and he beams at his success at being amusing. Scorpius looks understandably confused but the joke isn't anything too important and so we leave it behind as we walk into the warmth that the restaurant offers.

We are seated rather quickly and soon have our drinks: Potter getting a beer, myself some wine, and my son milk. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very personal, achieving what it wants to, a nice small place that does not feel crowded but still feels like you can have a good time with multiple friends of family members and even though it is only Potter, myself, and my son I still get the sense of a closeness. This probably also is contributed by the delicious aromas in the air that blend well with one another.

"So then Draco, how was work?"

"Tiring, but it was to be expected as I have not been in for quite some time."

"Ah," Potter says and takes a swig of his beer. "Did you have fun at your Daddy's work today Scorpius?" Potter asks my son.

"Yes Mr.. Potter."

Potter shakes his head good-naturally. "You can call me Harry y'know. I won't get mad." Scorpius looks unsure at this suggestion and looks at me, wondering what he should do. Potter catches this and looks at me as well. "That is if it is alright with your oh-so-proper father."

"If you do not have a problem with it, but I hope that it will not inspire my son to be so formal with other adults."

Potter rolls his eyes. "Relax Draco, it is perfectly normal for the children of close friends to address their elders familiarly."

"Is it?" I ask. I know that I sound superior and cold right now, but I feel a bit ruffled at Potter's correction to the way things are done in my family.

"It is alright Scorpious if you feel more comfortable addressing me as Mr.. Potter that is fine, but maybe one day it will change."

"Maybe, Mr.. Potter."

This elicits a laugh from Potter and he takes another drink and I too take a sip of my wine. Potter is so natural with Scorpius, more so that I could ever hope to be even if he is my son. I am proud of how close my son and I have become since he has come to stay with me, but Potter just seems to exude this laid-backness that must be very nice for children.

"And maybe when that happens your father will also come to address me intimately."

I nearly choke on my sip of wine, but keep my composure. Is Potter teasing me? I lock eyes with him and try to calculate the meaning behind that easy-going grin of his. He may be awkward sometimes but today we are on his terms and he is acting almost charming.

"Do not count your chickens before your eggs hatch, Potter," I say.

"I think I'll test my luck."

The waiter then approaches us, interrupting the promise of challenge in the air to take our orders. I order the ravioli, my son spaghetti, and Potter gets the same as Scorpius. After the waiter has left with our orders and a promise of a refill of Scorpious' milk.

"So, Potter, I was wondering, if you have been on duty for what was it, five days? If that is the case why have you not gone home to dine with your children?"

Potter appropriately blushed. "They are with Ginny tonight. I get them back tomorrow, and besides I don't like eat alone."

"Then why not go to your friend's?"

Potter sighed. "Why can't you just accept that I want to eat dinner with you?"

I give him a difficult look, the cheeks tinging red and I direct my attention to my glass of wine.

"What do you doMr. Potter?" Scorpius asks, breaking the silence that I have created.

"Well Scorpius I am the head of the Aruors!" Potter says proudly. I roll my eyes, Potter may not admit it be he is a show off, especially back at school. My son gives him a confused look.

"What is that?"

"We're dark wizard catchers."

"So you capture the bad guys?"

"Yup."

Scorpius nods. "That makes sense. Aunt Andromeda told me all about how you defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

Potter blushes. "Yeah, but that was a long time ago."

"Did you catch any bad guys today?" Scorpius asks, clearly very interested in hearing about potters heroics. I resist the urge to sneer something about Potter getting a big head but that would only disappoint Scorpius who would probably feel bad for asking and besides Potter is paying for dinner...and Looking quite handsome tonight. Git.

"I did. In fact I have been trying to catch him for three months now and spent the last five days tracking him. I only got seven hours of sleep and barely ate anything the entire time."

"Then how were you able to catch him?" Scorpius asks looking perplexed. For a someone as young and rich as him it must be mind-boggling to be able to live with so little sleep and food.

"Through top secret and highly amazing methods," Potter said. Scorpius's eyes went wide and Potter took this as an invitation to plunge into what was probably a dramatized and child-friendly account of his past five days. I watch them while sipping my wine, and I realize how great Potter is with children. Of course this probably should have been obvious been but seeing him telling Scorpius about his work, entertaining my son in a way I never could makes me half jealous and half want to ask Potter to help me raise my son.

This last thought comes on most randomly and I admonish myself for thinking of such a far-fetched idea. Potter will never go for me and even I got him drunk enough to have sex with me, which I would never do seeing as it is highly immature and I have respect for both myself and Potter, the man is not going to stick around to be my life partner.

My thoughts and Potter's adventure are cut short as the waiter arrives with our food. Scorpius's young mind is instantly reminded of its hunger through a most ferocious growl that his little stomach makes when his plate of spaghetti is set in front of him.

"Do not eat to quickly," I tell my son as my own food is set before me and Scorpius grabs his fork.

"Yes Father," Scorpius says and controls himself as he begins to eat his food.

"So demanding Malfoy. I suppose I'll have to use my best manner too," Potter teases and he twirls his spaghetti noodles around his fork.

"I would hope so. I am not inclined to go out to dinner with people who cannot eat like adults."

Potter laughs, pretending to be shy. "Oh stop it Draco, you make it sound like I've taken you on a date."

A date? Now that he has mentioned it this is rather a lot like a date. Potter picking me up from work and taking me to a nice place for dinner. Scorpius is here though so this is not a date, but Potter did not know that Scopius would be coming along when he came to invite me out. Oh stop it Draco, I tell myself, Potter was going to ask you to the pub, a place that he and his mates go all the time.

"Draco?"

I look at Potter and realize that I have spaced out slightly whilst overthinking his comment. "Right, a date," I say with a weak laugh and spear one of my ravioli's with more force than necessary. Potter gives me a strange look but he turns back to Scorpius and asks if he wants to hear the rest of Potter's "adventure", and my son, whose mouth is full of spaghetti, nods eagerly.

When we finish with dinner Potter pays for the bill and we get bundled up once more. Scorpius had begun nodding off half way through the ice-cream sundae he had gotten to order and by that time I had finished with my second glass of wine and Potter with the coke he had gotten after his second beer.

Outside a harsh wind has picked up outside and Scorpius holds onto my gloved hand fiercely, but I can still feel his cold hand. I pause, causing Scorpius and Potter to also stop and I take off my glove and give it to Scorpius.

"You wear it son," I say. Scorpius looks unsure and so I pick up his hand and place the glove on his hand. To my surprise Potter is doing the same thing.

"Won't your hands be cold?" Scorpius asks. The wind is blowing our hair about and my hands already feel like they are slowly beginning to freeze. The snow is coming down swiftly and despite the cold I can tell that Scorpius is looking particularly sleepy.

"Diagon Alley is close by, we'll take the floo home from there," I tell him and take hold of one of his hands, placing my other one deep into my coat pocket, Potter is doing the same.

Eventually we come to The Leaky Cauldron, all lit up and noisy on this cold winter night. "Thanks for dinner tonight Potter," I say as we walk in, heading straight for the floo so as not to dawndle to long. The inhabitants of the bar are not yet drunk but I still do not approve of my son being around such swearing and loud talk that is filling the barroom.

"No problem Draco. Hey um can I ask you a favor?" Potter says as we approach the fireplace used for floo travels for customers and other witches and wizards who need it.

"Go ahead," I say. He can ask it, but it remains to be seen whether I will honor it.

"Can I stay at your place tonight?" he asks. I open my mouth to flat out refuse him but he quickly explains himself. "I wouldn't have asked but my kids are with Ginny and I don't really like sleeping in an empty house. I swear I will go into whatever room you give me and stay shut up there until morning and then I'll leave straight away."

I sigh. If Potter and I keep having these "sleepovers" people are going to start talking. "First let me put Scorpius to bed and then we will see if I let you stay or kick you out."

Potter nodded and then gave a small laugh. "Speaking of Scorpius it seems like he has already fallen asleep."

I look down and sure enough Scorpius is sleeping, leaning against me, his arms awkwardly held up from holding mine and Potter's hands. He must have dozed off while Potter and I had our brief conversation. It was rather late. "Oh dear," I say and reach down and pick him up in my arms. He is heavier than I thought he would be but I can manage. "Scorpius," I say giving him a poke on the forehead with my finger. "Wake up or you will be sick when we use the Floo."

Scorpius murmurs something but does not wake up. I sigh and give his cheek a small pinch. "ow," he moans, waking up.

"Sorry, but you do not want to vomit while using the flo," I tell hi.

"Sorry Father," Scorpius says, his voice heavy with sleep.

"It's alright," I say with a smile.

"Let's hurry up before he falls back asleep," Potter says. I set Scorpius down as Potter walks into the floo and after saying "Malfoy Manner" is engulfed in green flames. The brightness of the flames seems to wake Scorpius up a bit more which is good as I do not want him to end up garbling his destination due to being too tired.

Scorpius takes a handful of floo powder and once I am positive that he is awaken enough he flooes on home. I wait a few seconds before going in myself as I do not want to floo onto my son.

When I arrive in my home I see that Potter is holding Scorpius, looking so parental and making this moment feel like something I want so much that I have to stop myself from going up to him and kissing him like any lover in this situation would. Instead I walk up to Potter and go to take Scorpius, ignoring the fact that I have to practically hug Potter to do this. Potter back away though.

"I can hold him, besides I want you to let me stay tonight so I might as well help out and carry him."

I blush and hope that he cannot detect it in the firelight from the lamps that the house elfs have lit.

We make our way out of the room and up the stairs until we are at Scorpius's room. I open the door and light the lamp by the door, turning the gas down so that the room is not too bright and Scorpius stays asleep. Potter places my son on the bed and I move him aside so that I can tuck my son into bed, placing a kiss on his forehead. I feel so fatherly doing this and kind of hope that Potter admires me for this. Once Scorpius is all tucked in I douse the lamp and we exit the room, leaving Scorpius's door open a crack.

"You are a really great dad Draco," Potter says as I let go of the door handle.

"No really, but thanks."

"Don't sell yourself short. It took me years to be able to tuck my first, James, in right. He would always want Ginny to do it, but then James seems to like her more."

"I am sure that you are the perfect father, Potter, just like you are the perfect everything else."

His mouth twitches as if he wants to refute that statement but he doesn't say anything about it. Instead he brings up his request once more. "So, can I stay over?"

"How about you make your case to me over a cuppa," I tell him, walking away. I do want him to stay the night, I am not going to deny that but I want to have a little fun with him first. Potter can be so easy to tease and besides if I say yes right away he will probably insist on going into the room so as not to bother me and I do not want that. Not that he needs to know.

"But I already explained it to you," he says, following after me. "If you don't want me to stay I'll go."

"Have a cup of tea with me Potter," I say again. Maybe it's he wine from dinner but with my son asleep in his room and Potter at my disposal I am feeling a little playful. It surprises me as I haven't felt this way in a very long time but as long as I keep myself in check I see no reason to deny myself a bit of fun at Potter's expense.

"Oh fine," he says and catches up with me, his arm brushing mine slightly as we make our way to my study.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! I know there are mistakes but I'll probably go back tomorrow and fix those. And once again sorry for the long delay.