Chapter 19
Scorpius's POV
Mr. Potter brought Scorpius home. They had talked about quidditch mostly, but also what his favorite classes were in school. Scorpius told him about Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Mr. Potter said he always enjoyed DADA and had even started his own club while he was in school.
When they got to the Malfoy Manor gates, Mr. Potter said he hoped that he would see him again over the summer and wished him good luck in school. Mr. Potter tapped on the gate with his wand, and moments later, Scorpius's mum apparated to the gate. She opened them and reached out to hug her son, smiling.
"Thank you for having Scorpius over," Astoria said to Harry, extending her hand to shake Mr. Potter. "I hope all is well with you and your family - Scorpius, what do you say?"
"Thank you, Mr. Potter. I had a fantastic time. And please thank Mrs. Potter again for the quidditch tickets," said Scorpius.
Harry nodded.
"We are glad you are Albus's friend," added Harry. "I will take my leave - We hope to see you again! Have a very happy Christmas!" Harry waved to Scorpius before turning on his heel and apparated away.
Scorpius and his mother began walking the long driveway back to the manor. He was greeted at the door by his dog, Bertie. His tail wagged happily, making his body wiggle like a noodle. He had arrived just in time for Christmas Eve dinner. His father was in the kitchen standing over the soup pot, stirring as if he was making a potion. Draco turned around when Scorpius walked through the open doorway and smiled kindly.
"Happy Christmas Eve, Scorpius. I'm glad you're home," said Draco. Scorpius went over to hug his dad. "How was it at Albus's house? And tell me all about playing quidditch."
"Give the boy a chance to put his things away," suggested Astoria, looking amused. "Scorpius, bring your things to your room and then come back down, and we'll have dinner."
Scorpius picked up his bag and broom and climbed the stairs. Bertie followed him into his room. Scorpius had a large and spacious room with a high ceiling. All the rooms in the manor were spacious. But Scorpius's parents had done all they could to make his room cozy and decorated it to Scorpius's liking. He had a large bookshelf with volumes of books he had read and some that were waiting to be read. He had a display cabinet filled with memorabilia, dedicated to his favorite quidditch team and players. His dad had bought him a large desk and supplied him with writing implements and art supplies to be creative. Scorpius, being an only child, could keep himself entertained in his room for hours on end.
He dumped his belonging out onto his big bed and decided to sort through after dinner. He did pick up the quidditch tickets from Mrs. Potter and put them on top of his dresser. Then Scorpius went back out into the hall and called for Bertie to come downstairs with him.
Scorpius's father was charming the soup out of the pot and into their bowls on the table. His mother was pulling a loaf of fresh-baked bread from the oven. Their meal wasn't extravagant - it was only the three of them - but everything was made with love and tasted delicious.
"So will you tell me about your friend? What is he like?" asked Draco.
"Albus is great. He's funny, and he likes to play games like exploding snap and wizard chess. He's also really good at quidditch…" replied Scorpius enthusiastically.
"Is he in Ravenclaw with you?" asked Draco.
"No, he's in Slytherin, but we share a desk whenever we have a class together and study with his cousin a lot. She's a friend too, and she is in Ravenclaw."
"Which cousin is this?" Draco said, placidly.
"Rose Weasley. She's brilliant and nice. Though, we are always trying to beat each other in class," Scorpius said, almost as if in thought to himself.
Astoria gave a little cough and looked to her husband.
"Is her mother, Mrs. Hermione Granger-Weasley?" Astoria asked her son.
"Yes," Scorpius said simply.
"How interesting... " mused Draco. Scorpius noticed his dad's eyes glaze over, as they often did when he remembered something.
"Anyway, Scorpius," Astoria said brightly, snapping Draco back to the conversation. "Your dad and I want to hear about the quidditch match!"
Scorpius launched into a play-by-play for his parents as they ate their food and finished with his big dive and catching the snitch. His parents congratulated him on winning the first game and for playing string rematches. In the middle of his retelling, his mum summoned their dessert of chocolate pudding to the table. Then Scorpius began telling them about his goal to work hard to get on to the Ravenclaw team next year. His parents started talking about other topics. The minutes passed without Scorpius feeling them.
"Merlin's beard," said Draco. "Look at the time!"
The clock on the dining room mantle said half 11:00.
"Scorpius, you must go to sleep," his mother told him. She kissed him on the cheek. "You'll be wanting to get up early for presents!"
Scorpius went over to hug his dad goodnight.
"I love you, son," said Draco.
"Love you too, Dad."
Scorpius ran upstairs, Bertie, at his heels. He got ready for bed and moved his stuff on to a sitting chair by his bookshelf. Bertie jumped up on his bed and went to lie down at the foot of the bed. Scorpius climbed in under his covers and went to sleep.