Scorpius's heart was racing. He and Albus both pulled out their wands and pushed the Manor door open.
The sight before them was one they couldn't imagine.
The screams it had turned out were coming from Daphne, who also had her wand out and pointed at Andrew from the other side of the room. Draco was standing in between them, making sure that no harm came to the small child.
"What is going on in here?" Albus yelled walking deeper into the house. He was making his way towards Andrew before he felt a hand grab his arms stopping him.
"Al wait! Dad? Why is Aunt Daphne pointing her wand at my child?"
"Because that child you brought in this home is a demon, a full-moon changing-"
Daphne's shrill voice was cut off by Draco's stern one, "Daphne, that is enough! I will not ask you again to please leave the room. The boys and I will handle it from here."
"Ha! You want me to go upstairs while that thing does who knows what! I refuse! I will-"
"The door is right there. Please do come back when you have calmed down." Draco said taking
his eyes off the woman and lowering his wand.
Daphne looked offended as she to lowered her wand and made her way to the front door. "You boys cannot seem to stay out of trouble. First that nonsense at Hogwarts and now this. Your mother would be so dis-"
"ENOUGH!" Scorpius jumped at his father's loud tone, rarely hearing it. In a flash, Draco pointed his wand at the door and a gust of wind blew his aunt through the front doors. Scorpius heard the door click, knowing that he had also charmed it to lock.
"Boys, before I explain anything. I need you to help me calm Andrew down." Draco moved closer to the boy but still kept his distance. "Andrew, look who is here. It's Al and Scorp. They came to check on you and make sure-"
"NO! I DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM!" The child screamed looking down.
Scorpius jumped again at the loud noise, not believing that his sweet Andrew could make such a sound.
"Andy," Al gently released the hold that Scorpius had on his arm and inched closer to the boy. He still had his wand in his right hand but it was lowered to his side. "It seems like you are upset. I do not know what's going on, but I want you to know that we are here to help you. Scorp and I care about you. We want you to be okay."
Albus has gotten closer to the boy and reached his hand out towards him. He didn't make any contact, but Scorpius realized it was the same technique that he used when he was approaching a dangerous animal and trying to gain its trust.
"No!" Andrew yelled again. "Daphne said I is a monster. I do not want you to think that too."
"We could never think you were a monster sweetie," Scorpius said gently making his way next to Albus who still had his hand stretched out.
"Now, come here and let us see you." Albus, remained crouched down for another few minutes, as the main room of the Manor stayed completely silent.
Andrew still kept his eyes on the floor, and after what seemed like an eternity ran and crashed into Albus' chest. He buried his face there and his body shook as he cried.
Scorpius sighed in relief happy that the little boy embraced Albus.
"I am going to give you two a minute with Andrew. I need to send Harry and Hermione a message. They will want to see this. I will keep them in the other room until you guys get Andrew to calm down a bit. From there, we'll discuss what happened." Draco touched his son's shoulder and made his way into his study.
"Shh shh love, everything is going to be just fine." Albus rocked the little boy in his arms. "Can you look up at me and Scorp so we can see your face?"
The little boy shook his head, "sweetie we wanna make sure you are okay. We promise not to scare you." Scorpius placed a gentle hand on his back.
Andrew took another minute or so to let his tears out, then finally lifted his head up and slowly opened his eyes.
Scorpius had to swallow a gasp, as Andrews' eyes met his. The little boy's normal grey eyes had a glowing silver ring around them.
Albus remained calm while holding the child. He wasn't afraid of the young boy, but afraid of scaring him as Daphne had done with her reaction.
"Andy, have your eyes ever glowed like this before?" Albus asked calmly.
The little boy nodded, "Yes, but I forgotted."
Albus nodded and looked at Scorpius. He could see the worry in his eyes. "Well no problem there dear, we are going to get you some help, so you can remember a little better and not forget anymore."
Andrew placed his head on Albus' shoulder once more and allowed the man to rock him into peace.
Albus caught Scorpius' eyes once more.
His fiancé looked at him and mouthed the question they had both begun to ponder, "Werewolf?"
—
After making sure Andrew was calm, the couple walked into Draco's now crowded study. Harry, Hermione, and Draco sat huddled together having a hushed conversation.
"Hi boys, take a seat. Andrew, are you feeling better?" Draco asked gently. Albus and Scorpius found space on one of the couches close to the fireplace.
"Yes, sowry Draco, for being mean to you," Andrew said looking up at the other adults in the room and giving them a full view of his glowing eyes.
"Oh my!" Hermione spoke first, "look at you dear. I'm sure there is no need to be sorry. You are dealing with something that can be quite scary if I do say so myself."
Harry nodded, "Draco was just telling us about what happened tonight. Go ahead so the kids know what's going on as well. And we can decide how to move forward with everything."
Draco's eyes met his son's, "right, well as I was telling these two, I noticed that Andrew was acting a bit strangely an hour or so after you left. He refused to eat any of the treats that we normally do, instead asking for a lot of different meats. As I was cooking it, I stepped out of the kitchen to take a letter from an owl, and when I came back Andy was standing on the counter taking the extremely undercooked meat from the pan and eating it raw." Draco looked over at the child and kept going.
"Though I was alarmed I didn't think much about it. I cleaned him off and we kept going about our day. Andrew, though I noticed was very tired and getting irritable. He snapped at Laurel and when I asked him to apologize he stomped his foot and walked out the room. He did come back later to say 'sorry', but it was very odd behavior of his."
"After lunchtime, Andrew laid down for a nap and didn't wake up until about thirty minutes or so before I called you both home. Daphne and I were talking in another room, and we heard screaming and crying. We both rushed into the room and saw Andrews's eyes glowing. Immediately Daphne's wand came out and from there it was utter chaos." Draco looked down ashamed, "If she had remained calm then I truly believe we could have avoided all of this."
Draco walked over to the young boy and reached out his hand in which a much happier Andrew took, "I'm sorry I didn't protect you better. It was not my intention to put you in any harm."
The small boy smiled at Draco seeming to understand and forgive him. Andrew still sat in Albus' arms and snuggled into the man. Scorpius got up and hugged his dad, "Dad we appreciate you being here with Andrew and remaining calm. This definitely was not what you were expecting, so you did a great job."
Draco smiled at his son.
"Well, it's clear that Andrew is showing traits of a werewolf gene or infliction. I am more inclined to believe it is a gene as neither of you has mentioned any scars on his body since having him this month." Hermione took a closer look at the boy. "Though little is known in the wider wizarding world about werewolves because of an outrageous stigma. I believe I know a little bit from my time seeking out lycanthrope communities after the war."
"Your aunt spent a few years building relationships with all kinds of creatures such as werewolves, giants, and elves after the war. She figured there needed to be a tighter link between those who are often shunned by the wizarding world. She took all she had learned and brought it back to Kingsley when he was the Minister for Magic and the two along with some other great wizards, such as Auntie Luna did great work in fixing the bridge between everyone. It was brilliant work. It also really helped us out with raising Teddy." Harry bragged about his friends.
Albus could see the pride his dad had for one of his best friends. His dad didn't often like talking about events that happened during the wars, but he did enjoy talking about all the good that came from it, especially the things that others deserved credit for.
"Right," Hermione smiled at Harry, "from what the Auror department found a few weeks ago about where Andrew might have come from this all makes sense. The constant traveling, tattered clothing, and the isolation. I didn't see it before, because it is so rare for werewolves to function in this way after the reconstruction. But some packs do choose to still isolate out of fear and familiarity."
She pulled out a notebook from her handbag, that no one seemed to notice up until that point. "Hmm, yes. This seems about right" she said skimming through the pages. In any other circumstance, Scorpius would have been thrilled to see Hermione nerd out over her books and notes. But tonight he just wanted answers about Andrew.
"Okay, I found something." She glanced down at the book and looked up at the men in the room. "It seems, that Andrew's mother must have been already been turned at the time of her conception and his birth. It is rare, but there are cases of mothers passing on certain traits to their children."
"What does this mean for Andrew, is he going to be a full werewolf one day? And these are just the beginning stages?" Scorpius asked.
"No, it means that he has certain traits, that I am assuming come around the time of the fun moon cycle."
Hermione looked impressed, "That's correct Albus."
"If it has to do with the moon cycle, why did he only act out today? Shouldn't it have begun a few nights ago?" Scorpius wondered.
"Not necessarily. There are a lot of factors and traits that the two of you may not have noticed or were so small they didn't seem like anything. Draco said that he noticed he was tired a lot today. Have you guys been noticing he was sleeping more than usual?"
"Honestly, we have been at work and Mum has had him the last few days. By the time we pick him up we eat dinner, play a game, and get ready for bed. Maybe she knows." Albus said looking over at his father.
"I'll double-check with her when I get home."
"Regardless, there is still so much we don't know. But we have a good place to start." Hermione pulled a quick-quotes quill and pad and began listing things off to it. "I first need to have to go through the archives of "off-grid" communities in the area where we got the lead on Andrew and his dad. This should help us get a few more answers. It may also explain now why someone tried to alter Andrew's memory. Someone doesn't want to be found. I am going to get on this. Harry when you get a chance-"
"I am going to get the boys settled, send a message to Ginny, and be right behind you at the ministry."
With a quick nod, Hermione kissed Andrew's head promising to see him soon and waving goodbye to the other men in the room.
"I know this must be scary for you all. But you have the best people on the case. Plus you have two people who know firsthand how to handle situations like this. It might be time to call your brother and uncle Albus. Get a jump on this before there are any more surprises."
Bill and Teddy. Of course. Just the thought of the two men sent a sense of calm over Albus.
"Right, I will get right on that, thanks, dad."
"Of course. I am going head out." Harry patted Scorpius and Albus on the back and leaned down and rubbed the top of Andrew's head, telling the young child he would see him tomorrow and he would bring Ginny along as well. "Draco, can I talk to you for a moment?" Harry eyed the man seriously as he gestured towards the door.
After both men walked out, a yawn was heard from Andrew, who still sat on Albus' lap.
"It seems that someone is up way past their bedtime. It might be time to head home loves." Scorpius said, standing and stretching his back.
"I don't get to spend the night here anymore?" Andrew asked tiredly.
"I'm afraid not little man. I think me and Scor would feel better if you came home with us tonight, so we can keep an eye on you. Remember I told you Scor worked at the hospital so he is so good at taking care of people when they don't feel well."
Andrew nodded his head and began to rub his eyes. Scorpius noticed that the glowing ring around his eyes was dying down. He figured the effects must be slowing.
"And the good news is you get to see Gabe tomorrow. We are going to see if we can pop in and see Teddy and Uncle Bill."
Though Andrew was excited, he could do no more than nod his head.
"Are you guys leaving so soon? You know you are more than welcome to stay the night. There is enough space here." Draco said entering the room and seeing the men standing gathering a few of Andrew's things.
"It's alright dad. We are going to get home and let this one get some rest. Plus we don't want to risk Daphne, coming back and causing a scene. She was really upset before."
Draco seemed to just then remember his sister-in-law. "I guess that is best."
"What did my dad want to talk to you about?" Albus asked curiously eyeing Draco.
"He wanted me to come into the ministry tomorrow and try ID a few people from the town they caught the lead on. They think maybe if he and I work together we can piece some faces together from the memories we saw in Andrew a few weeks back. It seems a bit presumptuous, but
anything to help." Draco pulled out his wand to distinguish the fire. "He always asked me to keep an eye on you three. He seems to think he will be busy with whatever task your aunt has for him. Your mother will be home in a few days, but she will be extra busy with work."
Albus scoffed, "It's like they think I can't handle anything."
"I beg to differ. I think they believe you are strong and possess that Potter stubbornness." Draco smiled at him letting him know he was joking, "and with that, they know that you won't rest until everything is alright."
Scorpius remained silent. Partly agreeing with his dad, and also because his own tiredness was falling upon him. Albus noticed.
"Right. Well, thank you again for everything Draco, really. I think it's best if I get these two to bed. It's been a long day and we have another one ahead of us."
"Of course." Draco walked the men over to the floo network and Scorpius took Andrew from Albus. The two of them hugged his dad one final time and walked into the fireplace and said "home" disappearing in a cloud of green smoke.
"Albus," Draco said firmly, "be sure to keep an eye on yourself while you undoubtedly take care of my son and now yours. Remember neither of them can be helped if you are not at your best. Get some rest son."
With a final nod, Albus disappeared into the floo.
Once he stepped out into their flat, Albus noticed that Scorpius wasn't anywhere to be found. He dusted off his shoulders, took off his shoes, and made his way down the hall to find Andrew had already been laid down and was fast asleep.
Albus went into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. Andrew's body didn't even flinch at the movement. Albus knew he was beyond exhausted. He tried to think back and remember him being this tired all week long, and really couldn't think of anything odd.
He would definitely need to talk to his uncle and brother as soon as possible. With one final look, Albus placed his hand on the small boy's back, kissed his hair, and pulled the door to an almost close.
"There you are dear, I was wondering what took you so long. I saw in Dad's eyes that he wanted to have another word with you. I thought it best to get Andy off to bed in the meantime."
Scorpius was already tucked into bed, rubbing lotion into his hands. He must have just finished his nightly routine. Albus noticed it at the time and figure he must have done a shortened version of it.
Taking off his pants and button-down shirt, he got into bed next to his fiancé. "Your dad only wanted to make sure that I am well enough to take care of both his son," Albus glanced up at Scorpius, "and nowmy ownson."
Scorpius looked surprised, "Did he say that? To take care of me as well?"
Albus laughed low, "that's the part that you took away? He called Andrew my son."
"Well, yea. I thought that was normal at this point. I definitely called him mychildearlier today when Daphne had her wand out at him. I guess my paternal instincts are kicking in." He was still extremely upset with his aunt and would address it at a different time. "Dad actually talked to me when we dropped Andy off this morning."
Albus looked confused, "oh you mean when the two of you snuck off into the kitchen. Yes, I was wondering what that was about."
Scorpius closed his eyes, "He just told me that, if I was going to dothis, then I needed to do it with my whole heart. The way I do everything else. I assured him that my doubts were gone. That no matter what, I am going to cherish the time we have with Andrew and I am going to care and love him like he was our own child."
Albus yawed and slid more into his pillow. "I like that,our child." "Yes, our son, who is carrying a werewolf trait. What are we going to do Al?"
Albus shrugged beneath the covers, "I don't know. But we are not going to stop caring for him and loving him. He is ours. We committed to him. We owe him our support at the very least."
"I agree. I want him here with us more now than ever. If this is the reason he was abandoned a month ago, then I am sick at the thought of someone even having the nerve to-"
"Me too." Albus pulled Scorpius down into his arms and began kissing his head and neck in between his words, "Let's get some rest. We have a big day ahead of us, and we need to be ready for it."
Scorpius nodded and grabbed Albus' face in his hands. His fiancé's eyes were closed and lips pouted for contact. Scorpius smiled, "Thank you for taking care of my dad's son and for taking care of our son as well." With that, he kissed his lips and held Albus, whose snores could be heard down the hall.
A/N:
Hi everyone. Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the feedback and I am glad you all are enjoying the story. Be sure to check back in Thursday for an update.
Jazz.
