"Dipper!" Draco shouted into the empty kitchen.
A small elf, wearing a large sweater appeared out of thin air. "Master called Dipper," bowed the elf. Dipper was his favorite, most faithful house elf and Draco knew that Hermione would not be happy with him for playing favorites, but he couldn't help it.
"Yes," Draco said. "You can have the night off. So can the other elves. I'm going to be cooking tonight."
"Is you sure, Master? Dipper and the others is happy to cook for Master Scorpius," Dipped wrung his hands together anxiously.
Draco smiled at the elf and patted his shoulder, "Everything will be alright, Dipper. Do you not think I can cook?"
Dipper's large eyes grew even wider. "No! No, Master. Of course not. Dipper thinks you's a fine cook."
Draco laughed. "I was only joking, Dipper. Don't stress yourself."
"Joking, sir?" Dipper squeaked. He looked at Draco as though he didn't understand the word.
"Just enjoy the night off," Draco said.
Dipper bowed low and with a crack, he disappeared.
Draco felt genuinely happy. He practically skipped to Scorpius' room. Hermione had made such a huge difference in his life already. Draco wasn't naïve though; he knew that things couldn't go this well forever. It sure felt like it could.
"Scorp," Draco said, opening the door to the room. He found Scorpius playing with his Quidditch figurines. Scorpius looked up at his father, and Draco continued, "I'm going to make supper, do you want to help me?"
"You, daddy?" Scorpius asked, his eyebrow rose in question.
"Why is everyone so shocked!" Draco laughed. "I can do it."
Scorpius smiled and jumped up, "Okay. I'll help you!" He ran up to Draco and took this father's hand.
For the first time since Hermione left, he had felt nervous. For the most part, he had been excited to tell Scorpius. With everything he had, he hoped Scorpius would be excited for him, but he wasn't completely sure.
"What do you want to eat?" Draco asked. He looked down at his son, who swung their hands back and forth.
Scorpius took a second to think seriously about what he wanted. "Pudding!" Scorpius shouted in excitement.
Draco chuckled, "You can't have pudding for supper, buddy. How about we have mac and cheese?"
Scorpius nodded vigorously, a big smile plastered on his face.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Draco watched his son carry his plate of food to the dining table. This was it. He was going to tell his son that he was seeing Hermione.
Merlin, Hermione was his. A mix of feelings welled in his chest; pride, possessiveness, and longing. Their afternoon together had gone so well, it was almost as though Hermione belonged with them. Like she was the missing piece in a puzzle. She played with Scorpius and Scorpius had had a wonderful time with her. During the day, when Scorpius looked away, Draco had snuck moments to touch her. To run a hand down her back or claps her hand briefly. It was like he couldn't bear not too.
Draco took his seat beside Scorpius, who was already tucked into his food. He took a moment to watch his son carefully. Would this change their relationship forever? If so, Draco didn't want to. He loved Scorpius and he loved the relationship they had together.
Taking a deep breath, Draco tried to gather the courage to tell his son the news. "Scorp, buddy, I have to talk to you about something. It's serious, so please pay attention."
Scorpius stopped swinging his feet and turned his full attention to Draco. "'Kay, daddy."
Draco took several more deep breaths before he continued, "You like Hermione, right?"
Scorpius nodded, "Yes! I like 'Mione lots."
Draco smiled softly, "Well, I like Hermione too. I like her a lot, but it's different when adults like each other. We want to be together. Do you understand, Scorpius?"
Scorpius' brow furrowed. "Like Ginny Potter and Harry Potter?"
Draco sighed, "A little, but not really."
Scorpius' face fell, his bottom lip jutted out and trembled. Panic rose in Draco instantly, "What's the matter, Scorp?"
The boy's voice trembled and tears welled up in his eyes, "Ginny Potter is James and Teddy's mummy. I wanted 'Mione to be my mummy, but if you're not like Harry Potter and Ginny Potter," Scorpius took a deep shaky breath, "then 'Mione won't be my mummy!"
"Oh, Scorpius," Draco groaned, moving from his seat to kneel beside Scorpius. This was not how Draco thought that this was going to go. He never even thought of Scorpius wanting Hermione to become his mum. He never even knew that Scorpius wanted a mum. He had never mentioned it before, never asked why he didn't have a mum.
"I – I didn't," Draco paused unsure what to say. "You want Hermione to be your mummy?"
Scorpius nodded glumly.
He had never discussed this with Hermione. He didn't want to upset the boy even more, but he didn't want to say Hermione would be his mother either. It was far too soon in their relationship to be thinking about this.
"It's complicated, Scorp." Fat tears poured down the boy's face. "Hermione won't be exactly like your mother, but she will always be your friend. And she loves you very much, just like a mummy would."
Scorpius nodded again.
Draco put his hands on Scorpius shoulders. "Everything is still new and these things take time."
Groaning, Draco realized how rubbish he was at comforting his son. He had no idea what to do or how to act.
Scorpius sniffled and looked up at Draco. His blue eyes were no longer swimming with tears, but his cheeks were stained with their tracks. "If you are together for a long time, then 'Mione can be my mummy."
Recognizing that it was probably the best he was going to get out of Scorpius, Draco nodded. "Yeah, I guess." Scorpius smiled and relief flooded Draco. "So you're okay with Hermione and me being together?"
Scorpius cried, "Yes," before asking, "Can I eat?"
Draco chuckled and nodded. He placed a kiss on Scorpius' head before he turned back to his seat. Things were going to work out. They were going to be fine. Draco couldn't help the smile that formed on his lips. He didn't know it was possible to be this happy. Sure, he and Hermione would have to deal with this 'mummy' situation, but he was sure it would work out in the end.
There was a loud crack and Dipper appeared.
"I said you could have the night off, Dipper," Draco had tried to say it softly, but he was sure it came out annoyed.
"Dipper knows, sir, but a man came. A man in wizard robes. He had a letter for Master. He told Dipper to give it to Master. He said it was urgent, Master," Dipper's voice shook with fear.
"It's alright, Dipper. I'm not angry. Please, just relax for the night," Draco said taking the letter from the bowed elf.
With a small nod, Dipper disappeared.
He looked down at the letter, having no idea who it was from. The edges were frayed and water stains covered it. He looked over at Scorpius, who was eating his supper, paying no attention to anything else.
Draco anxiously started to open the letter. It wasn't long, the letter, and it was too the point, but all the nice, pleasant feeling Draco felt before had gone and felt so very far away. The brief letter filled him with fear. He looked over at Scorpius once again, envious of the boy who was blissfully unaware of what was to happen.