"Are they alright?" Draco caught Blaise's eye and then asked outright at the lack of immediate answer. The two boys had drug Granger out of the room when the elf reported their things were in the same rooms as last time.
"Yeah. They will be I think." Blaise didn't look concerned and Draco wasn't sure that was right.
"So it's normal for them to agree to stay somewhere different like that?" Seeing his son was totally mind bending. He had seen the pictures and exchanged letters with him but to see his face and watch him. See the two of them interact with her and the way she had dealt with them. It was all more than he could believe.
"No. They didn't though, Bella is here. I was surprised at them letting her sleep separately." He searched the dark brown eyes of his friend, then his posture. Looking for anything that said this wasn't going like it seemed on the surface.
Theo had caught his eye when the three had walked out of the living room and had clearly thought it was a front or something. Something other than having just met their sons and been rather warmly welcomed by them all. Scorpius' eyes had nearly greedily taken him in, as if searching for the similarities between them.
Blaise looked as if he felt bad for him and then he sagged back into the hallway corner behind him, gesturing for him to do the same.
"It's all her. They've been talking about it since the beginning but a lot in the last few months. What it will be like to have a dad. Someone each of them can trust implicitly. Scorp came and asked me when she suggested me as another source. They research things a lot. Would you want him? Would you like who he was? Would you be angry at him for being with her? Would you take Tray away? Would you be nice to her? She had assured them that it would all be fine. That other people were stupid and couldn't see what we had all gone through." He listened and felt himself relax into the wall behind him. Watched the thoughtful look on his friend's face as he remembered.
"What do they know?" He asked, trying to see how they were viewing the situation. He didn't want to make assumptions. It felt like this whole thing was teetering on a knife edge. One he didn't know the exact location of.
"About you?" He could see Blaise wasn't sure exactly what he meant.
"Yes, and her. All of us and the fucked up life we came from." Draco didn't spit the words but heard the emotion in his tone and knew Blaise did too. His friend nodded seriously and then grinned. It wasn't his totally happy grin but it was amused.
"That's basically what she said. To me over time and with more detail but basically like this to them. Before any of us were born, when our grandparents were young, bad things happened and people made choices. Choices to leave the problem to others. There was a civil war, they have studied those a bit. She is careful to add context and Tray likes to understand concepts. The civil war got worse and worse. No one could see a way for it to end and the world was dark and scary. Then as if by magic, it ended. They have met Potter once and she told them some of what happened to him. Nothing too graphic, but anyways that the bad man came back and it was as if it started where it had left off. Except the young people, the ones to be involved this time were all of us, and our parents. Bella straight out tells them when she doesn't think it's safe for them to know something or that they aren't old enough to understand some things. You were in prison and they knew it. You were in prison for doing things you had to so you could survive." Blaise held his eyes as he spoke and Draco could feel his heart pounding. He gave a stiff nod, not able to speak but he wanted Blaise to keep going.
"It was easier for you. She knew more. There was more to know. Used you to paint a picture for Tray too. Your friendship, that helped too. They have each other, you two had each other, needed to help each other. So she painted a picture for them. Smart and talented young wizards with infinite potential. They know a lot of how good you were at school and she always credits both of you with manners and education. It seems she watched you bestow them upon others. Your Mother is a real figure too. What she did for you and how she knew you would be the same. Ready to exchange your life for his. They are serious boys and their concerns aren't what you would think of boys their age. Your son thinks you are a brilliant wizard, an amazing flyer, dedicated to your family, loyal, and protective." The words were like twisting knives and he could feel his magic under his skin.
Blaise could see it. See the conflicting emotions and he didn't attempt to hide it. Theo and him had talked about this, not wanting to live behind masks. Blaise agreed and flat out said the boys wouldn't like it, neither would she. They would respect their honesty and knew to expect both wizards to have issues. All of them did. She did and spoke openly about it with them. He didn't know much but Blaise had spoken some things with such vehemence and honesty that they had stuck and he tried to trust those words.
"The witch has been surprising me since she shook my hand before we sat down the first time we worked together. Then she came to be for herself, and finally for them. Maybe it will be hard to live up to the men she told them about. I made a flippant comment about that and she gave me her direct look. Told me that she didn't think you were errant boys who didn't know what was important. That you would see them and get to know them, then want to be who they thought you were. Her expectations are just as high." All Draco could do was stare.
He knew Scorpius would be alright when it was Granger that had him. That she would have made sure the boys got care and attention. Wouldn't have taken any of their issues out on the blameless children. Moments at school flashed by and then he looked back up at Blaise when he thought about the Manor.
"That's enough for now. They are coming." Blaise gestured up with his hands and he could hear their feet. Then the witch's almost musical voice.
"Don't even think about it Scorp. Your record will end if you try anything. When your dad is ready to fly with you and says, then you two can make a plan for barrel rolls. Until then it's stationary swinging practice only." The firm tones didn't hide the smile he could hear and Blaise just held his eyes, he could see the encouragement there. Thank Merlin for Blaise. That he had been her lawyer and she had gone to him. That there was a bridge between the two who had nothing and the three that seemed like everything.
"I'm with Granger on this one. I was twelve before I had the wrist strength to swing at full speed and older, maybe fifteen, before I could pull myself up smoothly at speed." He called toward the bottom of the stairs and watched Scorp turn to him and then look up at the witch, who looked vindicated.
"Thank you Draco." Her smile was genuine when he got her attention and then as quickly it was gone.
"Wrist strength and then core and then bicep and core strength. We will find some exercises and it's one of those things. Like meeting the requirements for the next level of broom." Her tone was reasonable and coaxing. As if she really didn't want him to get so excited that there were consequences.
"We meet those now My." The sly tone to Trayden's voice was unexpected and her smile was just as taunting when she returned the boy's comment.
"I hadn't noticed." Tray grinned at her then. The boy knew she did know, and Scorp shot him a look that said they expected these brooms and were plenty excited about it.
"Theo's outside." Blaise said and with that they all headed out into the dreary afternoon light and he watched Scorp grimace and look up at her. Her smile was soft when she silently spelled him and his smile was adorable, open and satisfied. He wasn't sure he had ever smiled like that in his life.
"Will you charm it?" Draco looked away from Scorp putting on his helmet and noticed their boots and pads. Light but nearly kitted out and was surprised. They were young for the weight. Tray had his helmet in his hands and was looking up at her.
"Yes, we should ask what your dad did. This is just what I use to keep my hair out of my face." Her hand waved in front of his forehead and the long curls there were tucked behind both ears and he knew they wouldn't move. He looked up at Theo, who had a look on his face the Draco knew meant he was thinking about his never having had a mother. He caught his friend's eye and told him silently that his mother had never done this for him, not like this. Instructed the elves to make sure he was safe and comfortable but not done it herself. Theo looked understanding and then it was something like the empty look he remembered from years ago.
"Will you set the flag My? Please." Tray tacked the last on at her look and he chuckled. So did Theo and he could see the return to now. Both boys stopped with a leg over their brooms and she stepped back to stand with the three of them. Then she pulled her wand and pointed it at the flag and thin pole that were laying on the ground. It flew five hundred yards or so and then was standing up and flashed yellow three times.
"You do the signal. Hand up and count down from three on your fingers." Granger stood between Theo and him, smiling and speaking quietly. He stared at her and she held her hand up.
"Go on. They've been waiting and I really think you will be impressed. They have worked so hard. Everyday since their first training brooms, feet skimming the grass." Granger looked expectantly at him and then Theo.
"Out loud too?" Theo asked and he snapped his attention to the boys watching them.
"No, they are paying attention. Hand signals are part of their training." She was chastising them now and he grinned. It felt normal and surreal. He raised his hand and Scorp sat a bit further back and crouched to take off. He watched them as the two of them counted down then both of them dropped their hands and the two shot into the air.
"How high?" He asked the witch beside him as he watched them fly increasing circles until the flag flashed from green to blue and then they did right turns and the circles decreased in size.
"175 feet. The next one is the last until full sized brooms and I didn't want them to have more than a few years on them. The height requirement put it off too." She answered him and Theo looked at him.
"Learned a bit about flying then?" The wizard asked and Draco knew why. It was surprising and she hadn't cared before.
"They like it. It's good for them. A couple hours a day usually, often more. Gets us out of the books and it was something you two did. Something you valued. Both of you used to fly outside of practice. Just fly around." Granger said this as if it were obvious and he looked to Blaise who smiled. Such a smug version of that expression that he was tempted to finger the tosser.
"It's magical too." Her voice was quiet, the two boys were doing horizontal figure eights. It was amazing to see them fly like this, in formation drills.
"I like this one. Gave me fits at first but they love it." He watched as they began crossing over each other. Flying a three dimensional version of the same shape and criss crossing around each other.
"That's more than I've ever seen anyone their age do." Theo said quietly and he nodded in agreement.
"She didn't know what they could or should do. Just encouraged them and kept it safe." Blaise spoke from his other side and he nodded again, accepting that logic.
"What did you mean by magical. Why say it like that?" He asked quietly and looked down at her when she shifted. Then watched her look to Blaise. He didn't though, watching her face and seeing her decide what to say.
"We had anything we wanted or needed. Blaise and Maria were excellent. We couldn't go though, into magical Italy or here before we left. They've done a lot in the muggle world and been exposed to as much magic as is safe but they haven't lived in it like that. Flying was an easy bridge, quidditch too. I would have taken them to a hundred games but at first they didn't ask. When they did ask, or actually I said I wished we could go as ourselves, they wanted to understand. I said I could be disguised but that I would be recognized surely, if I went as myself and it would be reported. That I had surfaced at an Italian Quidditch Stadium or something and they don't like to take risks. They were there and seen when they came after me here. Tray remembers and they both remember leaving like that. It's not worth it to them and I don't like to push them about their security." She answered him honestly, or he thought she did and looked up at him a few times while she spoke.
"We will sort that out." Theo said firmly and Draco looked from him to Blaise, who looked firm and he knew the Italian didn't like the situation either.
"We can now. Couldn't before." Was his only reply.
"There's no big rush. The boys and you two settling in with each other is the most important thing." Her tone was firm and he nodded while watching them swing their weight from side to side while swerving the opposite direction. They were closer to the ground now too. Forty feet or so and when Scorp was only fifty yards away from him he could see the concentration on his face.
"This one's new. They've only been doing it a couple weeks and the first week was trying to figure out how their weight really felt. These brooms don't have enough acceleration to really feel the pull of gravity against them but it's enough that it took them a bit." She spoke quietly and with all of her attention on the two in the air.
"This is surreal." Theo said and he looked to his friend who was watching them with fascination.
"Yes it is. It's over too and that hasn't sunk in yet." Her quiet voice agreed and Theo caught his eye over her head. Over now. He didn't know if he agreed and could see that Theo definitely didn't.
"Don't cry on me now Bella. They won't be happy." Blaise sounded chiding but also amused and she shot him a glare.
"I'm not crying. I might later. After they are in bed." Her cheeks were pink and she only looked at Blaise who grinned so softly, fondly, that for the first time he wondered if they were sleeping together. It hadn't crossed his mind until then and he didn't want to think about it now either.
"Where's the quaffle?" The witch looked around when the boys halted a minute later and it was funny. As if it should have been there the whole time.
"Snitch. Or Treacle. Whomever. Could you please bring the quaffle." She said quietly and nodded at the boys.
Then it was at her feet and she thanked the air. Then spelled it toward them and they boys began various catches and throws.
"Half size?" He asked her and she nodded.
"Their hands are too small still for the two thirds one. Maybe next summer. They have one and play catch with it but can't grab it one handed." She explained and grimaced when Tray missed the catch and had to fly after it.
"He doesn't usually miss and won't like it. Absolutely no mention of it today." The witch said firmly and Blaise chuckled lowly.
"Do you always watch them fly?" He asked quietly and she shrugged.
"Usually I watch from the breakfast room table. They like to talk about it and I like to be able to see them. The elves would react instantly but still. Usually I do yes. Sometimes I walk or something while they fly. Depends on the time of day. They like to read while they have breakfast and Tray likes to get things done so if we have writing or math planned then often we do that while they eat breakfast too. Then I eat while they fly." He heard her fondness and smiled to himself.
"Math at breakfast. You got lucky." He spoke teasingly and when she grinned up at him it was so relieving. He didn't know why she was being so fucking nice but he would take it. Undeserving and guilty but grateful anyway.