Friday June 25th 2021:
It was an accustomed drizzly day in London - in spite of it being the first day of summer vacation for Hogwarts students - and waiting at Platform nine and three-quarters were Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. All four of them keen on seeing their children's faces again.
Hermione's hand settled against her husband's chest as she bit her bottom lip to repress her blissful tears, and Ron's head cozily compressed against her bushy hair. Harry and Ginny shared neurotic but eager ganders at each other while occasionally holding hands.
Often however, Harry's focus would veer in Draco Malfoy's direction.
"What is it?" Ginny whispered, not peering over at anything so she would not draw any unwanted attention.
"Draco's just been standing there on his own," Harry mumbled.
"Is that all?" Ginny retorted. "Of course he is. He's still grieving, you know."
"I know. Maybe we can keep him company till Scorpius gets here," Harry said. "I think the boys would like to see that."
Ginny nodded in agreement.
"Are you sure about this?" Ron asked tentatively.
"Ronald," Hermione said in her trademark bossy way, but at the same time collected. Ron was convinced that his wife was the smartest person he had ever known, and because of this, he knew not to question her judgments often.
"Never mind," Ron said.
"Oi, Draco!" Harry called out among the pack of people.
The pale-blond man's eyes glanced over their direction with an eyebrow skeptically raised, approaching them in hesitation. He greeted them in a reserved mannerism, and the group of friends did the same. "So, what do you all want?"
"We figured since Scorpius is coming over to our place right away, it would be a nice surprise to see us all together," Ginny said.
"Would also save him the trip of walking to you and then back to us," Harry said humorously.
"I suppose so," Draco agreed.
Their floundering conversations were brief when the train finally arrived. The puffs of smoke coated the train tracks and platform, and a multitude of young wizards and witches rushed over to their families.
Regularly Lily or James would be the first of the Potter children to depart the express, but this time it was Albus, tagged along with Scorpius.
For the first time ever, Albus was smiling while running up to his own family with his luggage and Gerald inside of his cage. He greeted each of his family members, even Draco, and Scorpius did the same.
"Hey, Dad! It's still okay to sleepover at the Potter's, right?" Scorpius said breathlessly from his excitement.
"Missed you too," Draco said dryly, "and yes, it's still okay."
The duo gave each other a high-five, with James, Lily, Rose, and Hugo ultimately catching up behind them.
Scorpius tightly held his father close, and Draco repeated the action as best as he could; he was still unaccustomed to the new style of hugging Scorpius had adapted from his friend.
To ruin the pleasant scene, and to Albus' unforeseen horror, Gerald's body twitched around in his cage as he let loose many agonizing squeaks.
"Gerald! What's going on?" Albus begged anyone who was willing to expose an answer.
All of the adults and minors of Albus' family hurriedly gathered near-at-hand to get a better inspection.
"The Cruciatus Curse," Draco stated grimly.
"What?" Albus asked, his body unstable with fear.
"That's what is being used on him," Draco embellished, his grey eyes skipping through rows of people to discover the culprit.
"But who is doing this?" Scorpius panicked.
The ferret's body abruptly stopped tossing and turning, but instead doubled up in the corner with his bushy tail concealing his face. While Albus and a few others consoled the critter, Draco's eyes still carried out their search. It was a challenging task, but only momentarily. He caught a glimpse of a boy just his son's age, already glancing their way with a wand in his hand. The boy ran away, but Draco chased after him. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Lily, Scorpius, and Rose all chased after him. Ginny, Hugo, and James awaited by Albus' side and verified Gerald's health.
"What do they look like?" Harry asked Draco.
Draco called attention to the shaggy raven-haired teen, gripping the sleeve of his mother's coat.
"Roger," Scorpius snarled.
"You know him?" Draco enquired, briefly peeping over at the half-grown Malfoy.
"Sort of. He's in Slytherin like us, but he's a bully," Scorpius answered, fixing a menacing grimace on the troublemaker.
"It's impolite to stare, Draco. Especially the way you are," the parent said, sternly.
Draco sneered; it was meaningless to stop and contemplate who the young man's mother was from that malevolent delivery and sneer. "Your son just performed an Unforgivable Curse on a weak little creature. I'm quite certain that my stares should be the least of your concerns, Parkinson."
"And now you're making up assumptions," Pansy berated. "My son wouldn't do such a thing."
Ignoring Pansy's denial, Hermione added, "Don't think your child would be let off the hook so easily just because of his age. Next time he executes such a curse, he will be expelled from Hogwarts within a blink of an eye, and will be facing a great deal of penalties."
Pansy glared back over at Draco and defended Roger with an arm securely cradling his shoulders. "Even if what you and the Mudblood over here says happens to be true. I am positive that he wasn't aware of just how dangerous the spell was going to be when using it. He is still learning after all."
"Rubbish!" Ron barked, near about sprinting forward. For better or for worse, Harry and Hermione held him back before doing anything rash.
Draco studied the petrified fourteen-year-old, and very expeditiously memories of his young self engulfed him; he made careless choices out of fear, and solitude, impermanently leading him along the wrong course. Roger was still young, and still had his whole life ahead of him; therefore, Draco lamented for the young man on a personal level and the potential peril he could get himself into. "Nevertheless, take careful watch," he lectured in Pansy's direction.
Pansy's sneer dwelled on her face, and did not contribute anything to what was said.
The group — at a slow pace — withdrew, but the teens knit their brows while they eyeballed their schoolmate. The entirety of Roger's face was downright loathsome, and no longer cowardly. It was unmistakably an act to acquire pity.
"If you ask me, he shouldn't have been left off the hook like that," Rose growled, wandering back over to the others with Lily and Scorpius by her side. "They call them Unforgivable Curses for a reason. Not to mention you have to really mean it to perform that curse."
"And I most certainly agree," Scorpius said, alarming the girls with his non customary infuriation. In fact, he was the first to retrace his steps back to Albus with his crazy measure of speed as he ran. "Albus! How is he doing?" he asked, kneeling down beside the cage.
"A little better," Albus said. "Don't touch him though. He is still a little shook-up."
"Poor little guy," Lily cooed.
"Did you find the person who did this?" Ginny asked fiercely.
"Yes," Harry said, "a boy just Albus' age."
Ginny's eyes enlarged. "How could someone that young know how to conjure up such a curse? Why would he even want to use it? We might be dealing with another Tom Riddle on our hands, Harry," she said, terrified from the possibility.
"Don't worry, Ginny," Harry comforted sincerely. "We are not going to let that happen. The Ministry will keep a watchful eye on him."
"Good," Ginny said.
To set everything at ease, Harry turned to the young wizards and witches with a softening grin. "Are all of you ready to go?"
Everyone responded with a yes, lacking the Granger-Weasley children due to their parents fussing with both of their unruly spirals of hair.
"Sure am, Mr. Potter," Scorpius said, ecstatic from talking to the Harry Potter himself.
"Just Harry will do," Harry said.
"Okay, Harry," the young blond revised, biting his bottom lip from any verbal squeals of a fan boy.
"Make sure that my son is in one piece when the weekend is up, Potters. If not, I will do far worse than enchant your feet to dance uncontrollably," Draco warned, severe but at the same time with conspicuous frolicsomeness.
"We'll try keeping that in mind," Harry remarked, also comical.
XXX
The table was set, and the mouth-watering aroma blanketing the Potter's dining room was nothing but fresh buttered bread, vegetables, and roasted chicken. Scorpius and Albus endearingly spoke the entire allotment of waiting for supper, until it was actually prepared, and Scorpius suitably spruced up his posture with the serviette tucked into his wool vest. Ginny passed by each of her children and a few uninhabited seats to set down their dinner just before she reached their house guest.
"Scorpius, love, you are not in a fancy restaurant. No need to be so proper, but don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the manners," Ginny said, chuckling with a contented intonation apparent in her voice.
"Sorry, Mrs. Potte — Ginny," Scorpius apologised. "Manners mean everything to my family. On both sides."
"You don't have to apologise for good manners," Ginny said, staring at him as if it were absurd for him to have even thought such a thing. "It's nice to finally have you here by the way. I haven't seen Albus smile like this in a while." Scorpius' complete face illuminated and then he gaped over at Albus — who was shyly averting his gaze because of what his mother was saying. "James! Don't start eating yet!" Ginny suddenly commanded, dropping her collected demeanor. "Wait until Teddy and Vic get here, you know that."
"But they are already an hour late!" James protested, "and we're starving!"
"I'm pretty sure you can manage," Harry said.
The seventeen-year-old frowned and hastily picked up a piece of his baked potato and stole a bite.
"Hey! They said not to —!" Lily tattled.
"I didn't eat anything," James argued.
"Yes you did. Liar!" Lily said.
"You're a liar! You can't prove anything," James said, smug.
Albus didn't bother making eye contact with Scorpius from his further humiliation. First day of his best friend being there and his family just had to fight. When he eventually side-glanced over at Scorpius, he was befuddled to spot him tittering quietly.
The doorbell suddenly rang, and Harry made his way to the door to permit their anticipated visitors in. The most prominent feature that stood out of these guests was Teddy's multi-colored, spiky hair.
"Sorry we're late everyone," Teddy pardoned, peculiarly gleeful while saying it. Victoire resembled his elated mood.
"What took you so long, Rainbow-Magus? Needed an hour-long break for snogging?" James provoked.
"Nice to see you too," Teddy wisecracked, tousling his friend's hair around.
"Yes. There is no need to be so rude about it, James," Victoire added, more exasperated than playful like Teddy.
"Yeah. He definitely still needs to learn his manners," Ginny remarked, quickly hugging the lively pair.
It was then when they began their supper — much to James' delight — and Teddy was glad to meet Scorpius: a member of his own family flesh and blood who he had never encountered before. Seemingly not caring about the fuel between his mother's side of the family and the Malfoys.
Scorpius silently rejoiced in being part of this family's company, he felt a genuine merriment and felt that he belonged. He would even enjoy their occasional squabbles.
Thereafter civilly swabbing anything from her mouth with her napkin, Victoire smiled as she passed envelopes to everyone at the table.
"Oooh, what's this?" Lily asked, modifying her unacquainted pair of glasses. "It shouldn't be for a birthday since both of your birthdays have already passed."
"You'll see," the beauteous blonde said, affectionately squeezing Teddy's hand.
Albus shared the content of the letter with Scorpius next to him.
"Congratulations, you two," Harry said joyfully.
"Wait, wait! I haven't read it yet!" Lily bellowed. She speedily read through the headline of the card until she screamed erratically.
"I quote what Harry just said for this one," Scorpius said.
"I can't believe you two are actually getting married!" Lily supported, "but I especially can't believe we have to wait so long to actually go to it."
"It's only next May," Teddy chortled slightly.
"Almost a year," Lily complained.
"At least you two are waiting," Albus said.
"That's true," Lily agreed.
"Glad you guys think so," Teddy said, "and we have other big news we should tell you." He held his girlfriend even closer.
"It's the reason why we were late," Victoire added, "subtly" glancing over at her eldest cousin when saying "late".
"You're pregnant!" Lily shouted.
"Lily!" Ginny said.
"To be fair, that's what I was going to guess too," Albus said.
The couple laughed fumblingly, and then Teddy continued, "Anyway, lately Vicky has been feeling really sick, so we went to the healer's earlier and ... we're having a baby!"
Everybody cheered or applauded, while James and Albus appeared indifferent.
"I think Lil beat you to it, Ted" James said, snickering.
"I know, but I figured we'd sum it up," Teddy said.
"This has certainly been an eventful day for the two of you," Harry said. He hugged his niece and godson, ravished to have yet another member of the family on the way.
XXX
The remainder of the night was quiet, and when changed into their nightwear, Scorpius and Albus took a load off side by side on Albus' bed.
"I'm happy for Teddy and Victoire," Scorpius commented.
"Yeah. I hope they stay together though," Albus said. "I honestly think that they should have waited a couple more years for at least having a baby. James knows both of them more than I do, and he says that they have been arguing more and more."
Scorpius did not speak.
"I know. I take the fun out of everything. Don't I?" Albus said.
"Nah. You're just honest," Scorpius said with a wink.
"That's sure a nice way of saying I'm a jerk," Albus laughed.
Scorpius effortlessly shook his head.
"I'm just going to go brush my teeth," Albus said. Scorpius unanticipatedly fastened his arms securely around his friend's waist to stop him. "What is this for?"
"You're not going anywhere," Scorpius joked.
"I will be right back," Albus amusingly argued. The longer Scorpius Malfoy held him, the more heated and shaken Albus started to feel from the blond's heat and breath so close to his ear.
With luck on Albus' side, Scorpius let go and said, "Well, alright."
Albus unconsciously sighed in relief, and did what he said he was going to do.
While this came to pass, Scorpius relaxed back on his pal's bed and perceived the artificial stars coating the ceiling; it was a great view to behold. He was even more snug being in this room than he did his own, and wasn't even opposed to the odor of unwashed socks.
When Albus reappeared, he asked, "So, did you bring a sleeping bag to sleep in here? Or are you going to sleep in the guest room?" He was soundlessly hoping for Scorpius to stay with him. After all, he was so familiar with sharing the same dorm as him.
"About that," Scorpius said, twiddling his thumbs. "Ever since what happened with Mum, it scares me to be in a different room alone and... I don't fancy being at sleeping bag level."
"Well, you can... you know... sleep next to me," Albus said, indescribably stoked from the scenario.
"Just think of me as a teddy bear... one that you don't cuddle with," Scorpius said.
"Alright then," Albus said, wearing a rashly clumsy smile. He spruced up both his pillow and Scorpius', but to his amazement, Scorpius loosened the buttons of his silken grey pyjama shirt and shrugged out of it up until it rumpled to the floor. Albus' dilated eyes longingly fixed on the pale and shaven muscularity of Scorpius' chest; he was not expecting that to happen.
Scorpius caught sight of this and smirked. "Like what you see?" he joked. Albus couldn't even speak. "It's just hot tonight."
"Yeah. Yeah! It is... hot," Albus said, churning his head to adjust his center of attraction.
"Glad you agree," Scorpius said, reserving his spot on the bedstead.
Albus accompanied Scorpius and blew out the candles. They wished one another a satisfactory night and sleep, and Scorpius turned his back to Albus. In spite of the room being dim, the very speck of light that reflected in between the window shades granted Al a passable glimpse of Scorpius' back facing him. It was exceedingly identical to his chest and upper stomach; smooth, muscular, and pale, with a mole on his upper back. He could no longer deny it, he was attracted to his best friend.
From that unexplainable moment of the wonder of Scorpius' lips delicately brushing over his, and the vigorous scent of him originating from the obscure potion Lily was holding, Albus couldn't stop thinking about Scorpius in ways he never did before; it's in such a way that the scent and sensations never left his recollection.
Hours ensuing their "rehearsed" kissing back in February, Albus assumed that he was ready with just the right confidence, and so he encountered Abigail Wood to experiment with his freshly trained abilities. The lessons prior to that moment didn't seem to pay off, because each one of Albus' kisses were as dispassionate and unsatisfactory as usual. Abby reposed her hand on Albus' chest and considerately pushed him back. That was the point when the first love of his life broke up with him, expressing to him that they would be better off as friends. She was visibly torn by saying it, and he acted like he was, but mentally he wasn't so much torn but rather discouraged. All along, he didn't apprehend why, but now he did; he loved Abigail, but not in the ways that mattered for being in a relationship.
Scorpius was not in any more luck with his own relationship than Albus was. After Valentine's Day had come to pass, he and Rose's meager banters evolved into constant and foolish disputes, but fortunately they knew to end their relationship before it got out of hand. Rose took it insignificantly better than Scorpius did, and Albus was insidiously tickled pink. Again, he didn't apprehend why at the time (at least not thoroughly), but now he did.
It was one thing to be a setback for a Potter, and to be sorted into Slytherin (although it was his own choice), but to also be setting his heart on a Malfoy was something else undividedly.
A/N: For those who are wondering, Roger didn't get sent to Azkaban because I would figure they would be slightly more lenient towards a minor performing the spell and just set him off with a major warning first.