Word Count: 442
Draco walks through the garden of Malfoy Manor, smiling to himself as he sees his four-year-old son hopping along on all fours like a frog. It warms and breaks his heart all at once. He could never have acted so carefree; his father always made sure that Draco was on his best behavior, even when they weren't trying to impress some important family.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Scorpius shouts, grinning as he lifts up a large toad. "Look! Big frog!"
The toad lets out a disgruntled croak, kicking its hind legs. Draco chuckles softly. "Yes, very big," he agrees. "Why don't you let him go?"
Scorpius looks disappointed, but he doesn't protest. Instead, he kisses the toad's head, much to Draco's horror, and sets his new amphibious friend down. The toad hesitates for a few seconds before hopping away.
In his brilliant little mind, Scorpius must think the toad is playing some silly game with him. He giggles and chases after it, running through grass in a zigzag pattern.
Draco sighs, deflating slightly. Moving his family into his childhood home had been more difficult than he would like to admit. Years later, he realizes he is still broken, still lost. After his father died in prison and his mother decided the Manor was too painful a reminder, it became Draco's. The day he accepted it was the same day he vowed to himself that Scorpius would have a happy childhood, one filled with laughter and love and noise and chaos.
Draco watches for several seconds before kicking off his shoes and pulling his socks from his feet, dropping them to the ground. He has never actually played in the garden, and that seems like an absolute shame. It's such a beautiful, sunny day. Why shouldn't he step off the garden path and join his son in rolling around in the grass and looking for insects and reptiles?
…
Within an hour, they're both covered in dirt and sweat. Grass clings to Draco's clothes, but he doesn't bother to wipe it away. Truth be told, it feels nice to get dirty like this.
Draco stands, straightening his back and grinning. "What do you say we ask your mum if you she wants to join us for a picnic?" he asks. "It seems like too pretty a day to have lunch inside."
"Yay!" Scorpius rushes forward, taking Draco's hand. "I love picnics!"
With a soft laugh, Draco lifts his son and drapes him over his shoulder. His own childhood hadn't been as happy as he deserved, but that's okay. He will make sure Scorpius has everything he could ever want or need.
That's what fathers do.