Ron and Hermione sat there and listened to Draco's remarkable story about being ambushed by the Gryffindor Deatheaters, escaping to London, hiding out in various shelters to stay in hiding, and trying to find his wife and son amongst the midst of this chaotic time. Never in their wildest dreams did they ever imagine the boy with well-tailored suits and shiny shoes would be roughing it out amongst the elements.

"Ever since then, I've been searching all over for Astoria and Scorpius," said Draco, finishing his story. "I still haven't figured out where Astoria is, but I decided that Scorpius was the main priority. I was convinced that he didn't go back to Hogwarts after what I went through and assumed he was in hiding with you two, so I started looking for where you were living..."

"So, it was you?" asked Hermione, remembering the day when she thought she had seen Malfoy. "You were there - at the Ministry."

"Bloody hell," said Ron, making the same realization. "It was you at the bus stop."

"Yes," said Draco. "I...I admit I was following you, and it took me a while to find where you lived. But please understand, it was for good reason. I needed to find Scorpius and get him out of here."

"What on earth do you mean?" asked Hermione. "Get him out of where?"

Meanwhile, the kids remained outside of the door listening to the conversation.

"Scorpius," said Hugo, hearing his parents' remarks about Draco following them. "That day, during the race with Jay, you said you saw something on the field..."

"It was your dad," gasped Rose. "You didn't see a ghost!"

"Shh!" said Hattie, putting her hand on Rose's mouth.

"Wait, what did he say?" asked Scorpius.

"You heard me," said Draco. "I'm taking Scorpius out of Hogwarts."

"What?" asked Hermione, shocked by this admission.

"Are you mad?" said Ron, standing up. "Take him out of Hogwarts? Where will you go?"

"To France," said Scorpius. "I have a business partner who lives in Vouex-Veela. We'll stay there until this whole mess gets sorted."

"NO!" cried Scorpius, bursting through the door. "No, absolutely not!" Rose, Hugo, and Hattie slowly creeped up to the door, wanting to watch the action unfold. Meanwhile, the adults stood like statutes with bewildered looks on their faces by the brazen nature of the statement.

"I thought you locked the door," whispered Hermione.

"I thought you did," replied Ron, all too familiar with this exchange.

"Son," said Draco. "Please..."

"Dad, I can't leave," protested Scorpius. "I need to be at Hogwarts! I'm not abandoning my friends."

"Scorpius," said Draco, firmly. "Listen to me, I know what it's like to think that you should stay beside your friends. But unfortunately, many of your friends will abandon you soon. Not because of you personally, but because of who you are."

Rose was taken aback by this statement. Abandon Scorpius? She would never do such a thing - she cared about Scorpius so much! As a Weasley, she could have had loads of people surround her. Instead, she chose only two people to rely on for six years: her cousin Al, with his quiet nature and thoughtful presence, and Scorpius Malfoy, a boy whose bold nature hid a sweeter side that only revealed itself around Rose. Scorpius was one of the most wonderful people Rose had ever met...she could never betray him...

"I won't abandon him!" yelled Rose, without thinking about her statement. Now, those bewildered stares that were pointed at Scorpius were directed at Rose. Poor Rose felt her cheeks turn red as she saw Hermione's soft smile, Draco's amused expression, and Ron's confused face.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?" whispered Hugo to Rose.

"I don't know," said Rose, wanting to melt into a puddle at that moment.

"Um," said Scorpius, clearing his throat. "Father, I'm not leaving Hogwarts, and that's final."

Draco sighed at his son's decision, but he wasn't angry at his son. In fact, Draco, admired Scorpius for having the strength to stand up to him and voice his opinion. In many ways, Draco wished he had been more like Scorpius when he was younger. Maybe his life as an adult would have been different if Draco had a slither of Scorpius' heart and brain.

"If that's what you want, son, then I won't force you to leave," agreed Draco, making Scorpius and Rose smile again.

"And Scorpius will continue to stay with us," said Hermione, standing up as she noticed Hattie squirming around as Hugo held her little hands. "We'll keep him safe, Draco." At that statement, Draco smiled and nodded his head in appreciation.

"Well, that's all well and good," said Ron, rubbing them his hands together. "But what about him? Where's Draco going to stay?"

At that question, Hermione bit her lip in nervousness. Both her and Ron were happy to shelter Scorpius, but to shelter Draco? Their little flat was already over capacity with Scorpius and the new baby on the way. Where would he stay?

"Maybe Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny can help Mr. Malfoy," suggested Hugo. "He could stay with them."

"Grimmauld Place has always been a refuge for people," said Hermione, as she sat on the ground with Hattie in her lap. "Merlin knows we used it all the time as a safe house during the Voldemort Reign."

Ron nodded slowly, but in agreement with Hermione and Hugo. "Any objections, Malfoy?"

"Fine with me," said Draco. "Although, who would have thought that I'd be asking Potter for help?"

"The same people who didn't expect you to help him in the final battle with You-Know-Who," said Ron, heading out the room to grab his coat. "Now, let's go before anyone finds out you're here."

Draco rolled his eyes at Ron, but nevertheless agreed with Ron's statement. Before he headed out, Draco hugged his son one more time, relieved to see Scorpius was safe with the Weasleys.

"Let's go, Draco," said Ron, rather impatiently.

"Is he always this annoying?" growled Draco.

"Yeah," laughed Scorpius. "But you get used to it after a while."

"I'll see you soon," said Draco, clapping the back of his son's shoulder as he walked over to Ron. As Draco walked over to Ron to disapparate out of the flat, Scorpius stood there with relaxed shoulders and a big grin on his face. All he had been preoccupied with over the past six months was his parents' location and safety. Now, he knew that at least his father was safe, and it gave him hope that his mother would be found next.