The Hogwarts Express pulled into Platform 9 ¾ with a halt. Steam filled the platform as parents and guardians waited for their young witch or wizard to come up to them and tell them about the amazing year they had had at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A father stood out in the crowd with his silver-blonde hair, grey eyes, and pale skin. He had a smile on his face but there was pain there; pain after years of trauma, but this did not stop him from smiling when he saw his son again. It had been rough, but he didn't care. Draco Malfoy smiled when he saw his son with his best friends laughing with each other. It was hard to believe that his son was best friends with a Potter and a Weasley, but weirder things have happened. He waved at his son, who departed from his friends and walked over to him with his trunk behind him. "Hello, Father," Scopious said with a small smile.

"Hello, Scorpius. How was school?" Draco asked as father and son walked off the platform.

"It was great, Father. Albus's family helped me pull a prank on the people who bullied me and Al last year," Scopious said with a laugh. Draco smiled fondly at his son, who was sixteen now. He wondered what happened to his shy boy who feared that his family's past would get him nowhere. Draco looked at his son, who was laughing even harder now. "You should have seen his face, Father. We couldn't stop laughing! Al was on the ground laughing so hard he was crying." Scorpius said, calming down a bit. Draco smiled and nodded as they walked home.

Scorpios was quiet by the time they came up to the front door to their somewhat small home. Trees lined the house as Draco opened the front door. Draco watched as Scorpius walked through the door. The former Death Eater saw something in his son's eyes— love. He saw love there. When did that happen and who was he in love with? Draco smiled proudly and followed him in. As he closed the door, he saw his son sigh and walk up the stairs with his trunk bouncing behind him. "Are you ok, son?" Draco asked, putting his hand on the banister. Scorpius turned around and met his father's eyes.

"Yeah, just a little tired that's all," Scorpius said with another sigh.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're not trying to hide from the love I see in your eyes?" Draco asked with a smirk. Scorpius turned red.

"Father, what the hell? Why would you say that?!" Scorpius turned around and closed his eyes. "Fine! You're right. I'm in love, but you won't understand," Scorpius added before he stomped up towards his room.

"I won't understand? Son, I'm glad that you're in love. What wouldn't I understand?" Draco asked, tapping his fingers on the banister as he followed.

"Because I'm—I'm in love—ith—I'm—" Scopious sighed loudly and disappeared into his room.

The door slammed. Draco looked at the door in shock. He sighed and ran his hand over his face.

"Binx?' he called. Soon a brown house-elf appeared with a bright smile on his face.

"Yes, Master Draco?" the house-elf asked, looking at the stairs.

"Can you go take care of Scorpius's clothes?" Draco asked. Binx nodded and disappeared with a pop.

Later, Draco was at the table reading The Daily Prophet when Scorpius entered the dining room.

There was a tentative smile on his face. "Father, I… I'm sorry about not telling you who I'm in love with," Scorpius said looking down at his shoes.

Draco shook his head. "It's fine, son. You can tell me when you're ready. Do you have any homework to do?" Draco asked, glancing at his paper.

"Yeah but...I was going to write Al, before. Um, Father, I think—I think I'm ready to tell you but—" Scorpius cut off with a deep sigh as he sat down across from his father.

"Take your time, son," Draco said with a small smile on his face, but there was worry in his eyes.

"Ok, I'm going to just say it," Scorpius took a deep breath, but when he opened his mouth again no words came out. He took a deep breath and tried again. "I'm…. I'm in love with…. with… Al…. Albus. There, I said it! I bet that now you're going to yell at me," Scorpius said standing up but Draco didn't say anything.

He just sat there with a gentle smile on his face. He then stood up too and pulled his son in for a hug. Scorpius was taken aback as his father chuckled into his shoulder.

"My son is in love with a Potter. I never saw that coming," Draco said, pulling his son out of the hug. "What makes you think that I would yell at you? Don't tell your grandfather, though. He wouldn't understand the way I do," Draco said, laughing a little. Scorpius laughed nervously and wiped the tears from his eyes.

"Because I'm gay and in love with a Potter?" Scorpius asked after a while.

Draco shook his head. "I'm proud of you for telling me. When I was your age, I was scared to be anything but what my father said I should be. I was a jerk. I must admit I still am capable of such behavior, but I will never treat you that way if I can help it."

Scorpius let out a relieved breath after Draco finished. Then he laughed and rolled his eyes.

"Father, stop being such a softy! I'm going to unpack and write to Al about the good news. Please don't tell Grandfather about this." Scorpius muttered the last part before he left the dining room.

The next day Draco woke early so he could think about what to ask his son about his boyfriend and whether they had even started calling each other that yet. A myriad of questions came to his mind. He smirked when his son walked into the dining room. Draco saw that he had a broom in his hand.

"Why are you up so early, Father?" Scorpius asked, switching his broom to his other hand. Draco came out of his daze and smiled.

"Oh, um. I wanted to—"

"You wanted to ask me about Al? Can it wait until I'm done? I have to practice," Scorpius asked, walking to the back door.

Draco smiled "Of course. Sorry, I'm just…just trying to be a better father," Draco said, and stood up. "Right, let's see what you've got," Draco added before he and his son walked outside. Draco still needed to get used to his son being in love with a Potter, but he knew that Albus made his son smile and that was all that mattered.

A/N: Summery: Next-gen AU: Draco sees that his son has love in his eyes. He is happy to know who it is.

House: Hufflepuff

Class: Charms

Standard

Prompts: Father/Son, Next Gen

Word count: 1152