Chapter 27: Things that change and things that don't

"Mum you really don't need to knit me sweaters anymore…" Ron tugged away from Hermione, who was determinedly shoving his head through the small gap of the cloth, "What with so many grandkids, that's just such a burden…."

"Nonsense!" Molly Weasley waved her hand dismissively as she puttered around the room of knit bundles. Fleur seemed equally off-put by her sweater but managed to eke out a compliment as her mother-in-law passed her by, "Eet is my favorite color…" She now smirked at Bill donned in matching lilac. George was wearing an orange jumper, looking hilariously pumpkin-like but beaming as he dressed his son in a matching set, "We ought to think this one through for next year mate but at least one of us looks dashing…"

Albus got a pine green sweater with a fairly good stitch of his owl and James seemed impressed by his golden one with quidditch hoops. Lily was wiggling into a light aqua jumper with a pygmy puff. Al looked up at his father who has donning a blue sweater with a simple emblazoned 'H'"

"I heard you… ehem… outgrew the last one dear," Molly passed by happily.

"Harry you still grow? Odd you look just about as short as ever…" snickered George as Angelina lightly swatted him, "It's alright you know, I added a few inches myself last year…"

Ginny was genuinely thrilled with the necklace Harry had settled on. It was a simple silver chain dappled with a few teardrop pearls and a small circular pendant with a charmed horse galloping about, "It reminded me of your patronus…"

Ron gazed for a bit at the necklace, "It's rather good- what store?"

"'Azar and Chase House of Diamonds'- Opened a few years ago, near the new chess store."

Ginny added playfully, "I suppose I could assist you if you wanted to get something nice."

Ron looked relieved, "Yes, that… that would be great." Ignoring her rolling eyes. Harry thought Hermione seemed quite content with the new quill set he'd picked out. He shuffled the light, wrapped box laying in his lap and began to tear open the contents, revealing a sleek fabric outdoor cloak that played tricks on the eye when it shimmered.

"Ginny this is amazing." He admired the extensive network of pockets and hood.

"It's meant to be worn both ways see?" Ginny turned the shiny layer to reveal a much less ostentatious slate gray pattern. "This helps with muggle evasion when you fly- the shimmering basically renders you invisible at that speed. It's waterproof, repels the five most common cursed fires, and this pocket," She tapped a small square flap just below the collar, "has a bottomless charm and absorbs up to thirty pounds without detection."

"Thank you," Harry continued to marvel at the cloak.

"I'd figured it would benefit both of us." Ginny quipped slyly, "I'm personally tired of your last cloak hanging up with God knows what on it, from whatever your little trips get you into."

Harry winced and caught Hermione's eye. Most of his messier excursions had been solo pursuits of leads on Katie Bell, which, having some conclusion to her story, would no longer be happening. Still, with the investigations picking up, he knew he'd be out in the field far more often in the new year.

He hoped that Hermione and Percy would be able to reconvene sometime before heading back to the Ministry. The emotions of the morning had rapidly evolved into more questions about the details regarding the young werewolves and possible locations of Fenrir Greyback. Harry shivered. He'd hoped that Fenrir would have met some sort of savage end by now, as most criminal gangs jockeyed for inner power with the same viciousness as their attacks on outsiders. That he might be not only alive but thriving indicated to the seasoned Auror that he was a force to not underestimate.

Harry glanced up and caught a pair of green eyes scrutinizing him. Shoot- he needed to control his demure expression, especially around his son. Al had picked up the tensions between family members almost immediately after arriving home and Harry could tell it was wearing on him. He accio'ed a leftover tart from the kitchen and made a scene dropping it into the bottomless pocket, winking at his son. Al smirked, but Harry knew he was far too precocious to be fooled. He felt guilty knowing that the holidays weren't as restful for his son as they could be, as he'd been well-informed that Al's first semester was far from peaceful. McGonagall had sent a letter to the Potters informing them that their son had spent over four weeks in a row in detention. Ginny was halfway done concocting a howler to James before Harry caught her mistake and the two pondered what could have happened to their quiet bookworm child. A second hasty letter had answered their biggest questions

Dear Harry and Ginevra,

You have certainly received a letter stating that your son, Albus, has spent an extraordinary amount of time in detention for conjuring of hexes against another student. A letter home is triggered automatically when the student exceeds four separate citations in less than eight weeks. I am unsure if your son has divulged the nature of the student body at the moment but assuming he has not I will inform you that a number of incidents has antagonized the Houses severely. I am to blame for letting this matter foment to such a degree and can assure you that you son is undoubtedly acting in defense of himself or his friend Mr. Scorpius Malfoy, an unfortunate target of quite extreme bullying. I have been incredibly tied up with urgent security matters but am writing to reassure you that the new semester will begin with stricter control of student's behavior and a new 'no tolerance' policy with the consequences of expulsion.

My apologies,

Minerva McGonagall

Harry replayed the morning's revelations and considered the 'urgent security measure' of treating a minimum of four students for lycanthropy an understandable excuse for the Headmaster's absence in school affairs. Still, he and Ginny weren't quite sure how to approach the subject of detention and behavior with their middle child. If he was defending a friend, Harry had no qualms with paying for the unfortunate consequences that sometimes followed. But there were other things that Al said that concerned him, such as not caring particularly much about House Points or the way he sourly described most of his professors. Points were childish, sure, but they were supposed to bring houses together and help form productive friendships. From what Al mentioned, it seemed that the Slytherin House was so disillusioned from the unfairness of the point system, that they had stopped trying altogether. And Harry knew how assumptions on a professor could inhibit learning….

But whenever the two were alone, Harry always fell short of broaching the conversation. He hadn't the slightest idea of what to say that would be stern enough to have Al take heed, but not make him feel attacked, especially since they hadn't really discussed his House placement either. He knew he should be concerned in the lack of communication; apparently just being 'not Uncle Vernon' was wholly inadequate for reassuring his son that they were on the same team.

James was gathering a group of the cousins to play a pickup game with the batwing boomerangs he'd gotten for Christmas. "Oh come on Roxy can't you and Victoire leave a little later?" He called to the older girls who were leaving with Angie to be fitted with celebratory dress robes for their impending graduation. "It's not Quidditch so you might even have a chance to win for once!" He flashed a charming smile at Roxanne's glare.

For now, Harry was content to toss another sweet in Al's direction as the boy headed out to the garden.

James waited until the back door closed to snatch the pumpkin turnover from his brother. But he hadn't even taken a bite when the dessert was forcefully yanked from his grip, right into the hands of his little sister.

"Did you do that on purpose?" He cried, holding his empty hands out in bewilderment, "Can you do that on purpose."

Al thought this was all very amusing. "Watch out James, she's barely had any supervision these last months. No one knows what she's capable of."

"If I tell you I'm impressed can I get half of that- I am actually hungry and besides, I saw you tuck in twice your weight in desserts last night- don't tell Al but you might be taller than him by the time you get to Hogwarts."

"Hey," Al complained genially as Lily laughed and split the treat in three.

Teddy, Dominique, Rosie, and Aldo had joined the siblings. The eldest Creevey looked well-rested compared to the evening before. As they tossed the boomerangs to warm up, James tried to prod a little more information from him.

"So, do your grandparents have a place to go?" He started, cautiously.

Aldo shrugged, "I think they'll stay with us for the time being. It's a little small but I think my Dad will feel better with them nearby." He glanced around the circle, "I don't really want to go back so soon… just in case something else happens."

"Awe Aldo I think it will be fine, plus I'm sure some Aurors will be protecting you since fire is kind of extreme." James tried to comfort the younger boy.

Aldo smiled softly, "Yeah I suppose you're right, I just can't help but worry though."

Teddy looked gloomier, "I didn't think we'd be dealing with this again so soon," he chucked the boomerang hard at Al, "Ah sorry bud."

Dominique looked at him in alarm, "You don't 'ink that these things are Dark magic? Like Death Eater Dark magic?"

Teddy glanced at the house to make sure no one had wandered outside before addressing his cousin. "Now I don't know much but Charlie mentioned offhand that the meeting between Percy and the Eastern Regions took a rather serious turn. Apparently, the muggles there are dealing with an active serial killer and it's been heightening tensions between the muggle governors and the Magical Senate."

The boomerangs hung limply as the cousins discreetly gathered closer together. Dominique shook her head, "An' they 'ink it's a wizard that is behind all of this, that's why?"

But Teddy shook his head, "No, apparently the man has been caught before, but escaped- he's never been detected as magical by any of the regions. But apparently his modus operandi is…ritual-like. At least that's how Percy described it. So there's suspicions and rumors of witches among the muggle communities."

"Anyway, they have a little bit of a crisis on their hands already and whatever Percy was supposed to tell them was not welcome news. Audrey basically begged him to stay with Charlie because she was afraid that they'd retaliate before they had a chance to leave."

Dominique sniffed, "My Mum does not like thee schools there. She says Duramstrang is run by a zealot."

"Well, I'd have to agree." Teddy replied, "Charlie can barely stand having those students as apprentices. They're so backwards- but the muggle tensions are no laughing matter. The school didn't open until November because the village next door sent a mob to the grounds."

Rosie looked completely shocked, "Don't they have security charms about the place? I suppose that's why Elena is here at Hogwarts then." Referring to Victor Krum's daughter. "She seems okay though, not discriminatory or anything."

Dominique piped up, "She said she 'ad meant to go to Hogwarts before this all anyway." Remembering a conversation with her housemate, "Krum eez not highly born as she put it. But he was so good at Quidditch 'at the Headmaster took him in. He only stayed to pull his family out of poverty."

Teddy sneered derisively, "What a lot. It's a shocking thing to see in some of these regions- I didn't realize how sheltered it was at Hogwarts, not that it's to the liking of certain families."

Al reddened automatically and didn't say anything, though he could feel several pairs of eyes fall on him. Rosie spoke up sympathetically, "Well who knows, maybe Al will change Slytherin for the better." He smiled at his cousin's support, but noticed her countenance falter.

"I wish you would spend New Year's with us though."

Scorpius had invited Al to an outing with his family on the holiday and Al had accepted somewhat reluctantly. As much as he liked his friend, he was wary of meeting his father, Draco. Since Al had been filled in on the man, he couldn't possibly see how the senior Malfoy could even want a Potter child being his own son's friend. But McGonagall's words to Scorpius held some hope, ambiguous as they were. Also, Scorpius had been a little down near the end of semester, feeling as though Jeya was slowly hanging out with him less and less. She had informed him that she couldn't spend this New Years together.

"It's fine Rosie, we got a lot of time still." Al reassured her. James was also avoiding eye contact, scuffing the ground with his feet.

"How's Malfoy doing?" Teddy awkwardly glanced at Al. Since the train, he'd felt a little guilty for being so harsh on the boy, too passive for his own good.

Al shrugged, "It's different every week- I do wish McGonagall could do better than offer him treats whenever he needs to escape to her office. Or rather, I wish the other teachers could follow her lead more."

Teddy nodded, "It's pretty uncontrollable- I never saw it this bad before, but I suppose the influx of war babies is going to rekindle some old grudges. Honestly though, the Slytherin boys from my year almost drowned Professor Magamus' daughter with a cursed Bubblehead charm. I think the main perpetrators were expelled but he still has to teach a lot of 'em. Your year seems relatively fine, but I guess we'll see-not you though Al, we know you're different."

Al shifted uncomfortably.

As New Years Eve arrived, Harry found himself worrying about his son more and more.

"Ginny, maybe we can charm a GPS signal on him for the night." "Or activate a portkey in case he wants to come home."

Ginny brushed his ideas away as she examined some of the broom head designs her father had carved during the fall. "Harry calm down. The Malfoys are on the brink of the Wizarding World as it is, for which- I think- they are very grateful. They're not going to throw it away by kidnapping our son. Besides, Astoria was never as fanatic as her sister. I never had problems with her in school."

"Gin, I'm positive you never had another enemy after knocking out Zacharias during Quidditch. If she had a problem with you, I'm sure she was smart enough to hide it."

Ginny grinned, "Fred and George gave me a whole years' worth of merchandise when they heard about that. Ron was so jealous."

Arthur had been intently listening to the two banter. He turned to his son-in-law and smiled apprehensively, "How's Draco at the Ministry? Do you still see his father about?"

Harry shook his head, "I think he avoids me as much as possible. But he's not his father- at least not publicly. Hermione says that he works harder than most senior Department Heads. He mentioned once that him and Lucius don't see eye-to-eye these days."

Arthur thought for a moment, polishing the handle of one of his prototypes. "That's too bad. I never liked Lucius, but he was the least unbearable when he talked about his son. Draco was truly the only thing that made him a little humane- but I suppose something had to give if Draco has changed as much and you and Hermione says."

"You don't actually feel sorry for that man, do you?" Ginny looked at her father incredulously, "He could have murdered me without a second thought."

At this, Arthur's eyes darkened from their usual cheery spark. He nodded, remembering his daughter's first year at school. "No, not him." He sighed, "I guess when you've existed this long you realize that, short of dying, people need to change. If his own son can't pull him from his beliefs… it's just a sad thing to think about."

Ginny huffed, apparently still bristled from the memory of Draco's father. "Well, I assure you, if I ever run into Zacharias these days, changed or not, he better hope I didn't bring my broom."

She turned to Harry gently, "Perhaps you could go with Al to Draco's house? Just to have a feel before we leave him in their company."

Al was slightly annoyed as he watched his father charm the fireplace to Scorpius' house and grab a handful of Floo powder. Mostly because he was almost certain that he and Draco were not going to get along. And if it was too bad, would he tell Al that he couldn't hang out with Scorpius?

"C'mon, the fireplace is big enough for two." Harry clutched Al tightly and the pair disappeared into the cloud of ash and green flames.

"You didn't tell me you were visiting!"

"Do I have to schedule visiting my son on a holiday?"

"I… Please this isn't a good time."

"Why because you brought the muggleborn? You know I've never said a thing against her. I find her quite bright…"

"No not Jeya. He's met another friend this year…"

"I thought you said you and your wife would be the only ones coming tonight."

Al grimaced as he heard his father bark sharply not even a moment after arriving in the Malfoy estate. Harry's arm had prevented him from tumbling out of the fireplace but it now remained protectively around Al's chest as he surveyed the unexpected visitor.

The woman was well in her years but still very pretty, though washed out with the same pale features distinctive of recent Malfoy generations. She startled visibly at the sight of Al and Harry. "Oh! Him?"

Harry didn't reply, leaving that task to another blonde in the room, who must be Scorpius' Dad, Draco. Draco acknowledged Harry's chilly demeanor apologetically. He made introductions, deciding to address the least angry person in the room. "Albus, this is my mother Narcissa Malfoy although Scorpius calls her Grandma Cissy and I'm sure she won't mind you as well."

Al thought that Narcissa's stony expression might suggest that she would very much mind that nickname coming from him. "Mother this is Albus Potter, son of Harry and Ginny Weasley- I'm sure you remember. He's been a good friend to Scorpius this semester- they're housemates."

Draco seemed to emphasize this last connection in the hopes of softening his mother's judgement of the boy. But while she remained impassive, Al felt the grip of his father tighten imperceptivity in frustration. Fearing his father would draw him back into the Floo at any moment, he mustered all the charming social skills that James and Lily seemed to exude.

"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Malfoy, I'm very excited for the night- Scorpius tells me there's dragons- well, small dragons. And you can call me Al, I won't use Albus until I can grow a beard at least this long" He stretched his arms exaggeratedly low from his chin.

Narcissa stared for a second at Al as if she hadn't considered that he could, in fact, speak. Then, she smiled, perhaps not as warmly as Grandma Weasley, but close, "Very nice to meet you Al- my apologies, I wasn't aware you were coming. And please, do call me Cissy." She glanced at Harry somehow understanding his behavior, "I hoped to drop in for the festivities and surprise Scorpius- I came alone."

At last, the death-grip around him loosened and Al could escape his father's grasp. Harry breathed deeply and finally spoke, framing his words politely, "It's no problem, Narcissa. Holidays are for family and friends- I… I hope you are well."

Narcissa took the olive branch readily, "Yes they are… and we are well."

"Good.. Erm Al have fun. We will expect you before midnight." Harry tousled his son's hair and stepped into the fire. Procuring another handful of floo powder, he nodded briefly to Draco and dissolved into the flames.

"My apologies Al, I did tell your father it would only be my wife and myself supervising you for the night. Are you comfortable?" Al recognized the same stiff formality that Scorpius had greeted him with on the train to Hogwarts.

He shrugged lightly, "It's okay, I don't mind at all."

The tall man regarded him silently, tucking a few strands of hair loosened from his ponytail and otherwise busying his hands to stall talking to Al longer. Al took in his slender figure, not slouching in the way his father's and uncles' were in age, but not looking particularly healthy either. The angles of his limbs and face were reflected in the austerity of the living room as well. Perhaps his aunt Hermione might prefer the Burrow to be a little tidier, but this cleanliness boded a feeling of clinical sterility that even she would find unwelcome. Could he sit on the fancy beige couches? Even Narcissa was balancing herself precariously on one seat, as if to avoid sinking too far into the fabric and risk leaving a dent. Only a small Christmas tree across the room, twinkling warm vanilla light, melted some sense of livability into the modeled space.

"That's very nice," Al pointed at the tree. Draco nodded slightly, looking towards the staircase situated in the hall at the end of the room, "I think Scorpius is upstairs…" The bounding of feet confirmed this. Soon, Scorpius appeared descending the steps with glee.

"Al! I thought I heard you!" Al hadn't seen his friend this relaxed ever at school. His hair wasn't combed neatly to the back, but lay scattered about his forehead and his shirt lay half tucked in. Lower, Al spotted two mismatched pairs of socks. Scorpius strode into the living room, oblivious to the awkwardness previously filling the space. He carried a rather large clump of green and white striped knitting, which he unrolled to reveal two long, thick scarves with the Slytherin insignia patch. "Mum made two, one for each of us! Merry Christmas!" He tossed Al the very nice scarf and barely heard him mutter, "Thanks… I.. didn't get you anything…"

"Grandma! I didn't know you were coming!" Scorpius happily embraced Narcissa Malfoy, who returned his affections with equal enthusiasm.

"Oh my have you gotten tall! And so handsome… oh don't be so shy!" She ignored the blush on Scorpius' cheeks as she examined his clothes, "No you have really grown, these barely fit you! Now your grandfather and I could get these modified…"

"No it's alright Mum, we'll take care of those." Draco hastily checked Scorpius' showing ankles and waved his hand at Narcissa's frown, "It's the meals there… I swear I still crave those jelly tarts they have at breakfast some mornings."

"You will be able to soon, with your new assignment." A fourth figure appeared near the doorframe, with bold, swirling curls of a hue that wandered the line between red and brown and strong deep-set eyes as dark as the rest of Malfoys were light. It was good that she possessed such commanding features Al thought, as she joined her husband and smiled warmly in his direction, for the rest of her body made Draco's thin frame seem muscular; they diluted the full effect of her waif-like sickness. Draco shook his head curtly at the insinuation, as his wife realized his mother was also present, but the older woman didn't seem to home in on the meaning. She turned her conversation to Al.

"And now we finally get to meet Scorpius' great hero!" Astoria seemed to light the room with the same aura of the glowing tree lights, beaming largely and sincerely.

"Well now let's not go that far," Draco still looked at Al anxiously. But he'd naturally molded himself to his wife's side and slung an arm around her shoulder.

"Well, we have a deal. I stop some of the hexes and Scorpius makes sure I can answer questions in class," Al tried to humor the odd variety of stares in his direction.

Astoria laughed pleasantly, "So sweet! Oh, please dear are you hungry- we just made cranberry sauce and have some leftover ham if you want to have some healthy food before you fill up on candy at the festival." She flicked her son meaningfully before popping up and heading towards the kitchen, "Come!"

Al sat at a small, square dinner table, very much unlike the one at the Burrow. In theme with the rest of the house, the kitchen was small and plain but the furniture and appliances clearly well-made and, Al guessed, somewhat costly. Scorpius was happily chatting about a new expansion pack of exploding marbles (they have sound effects!) and some of his favorite fair games at the festival, directing his attention to both Al and his grandmother. Presently Al's gaze drifted towards Draco and Astoria, watching the man carry some of the heavier items to the countertop and still receiving a painful looking 'Thwap' when he dipped his finger into the gleaming ruby sauce.

In Al's 'A History of Magic' book, the lineup photos of several Death Eater's graced the chapters describing their first and second ascents to power. Al couldn't imagine Draco shaking and screaming like the photographs of the other Death Eaters. The man was wearing a thick plaid shirt, buttoned tightly around his wrists. Al tried to conjure up what the skin must look like underneath, based on Scorpius' description, but also failed. In truth, Draco looked like the victim of several battles, with short and long scars peppering his face. Rather than intimidating, Al felt pity for their state.

Astoria came over with a plate for their little meal, "There you go dear, did you like your scarf?"

Al nodded, "Thank you, that was so nice- I like it a lot."

She beamed again, "It's no problem! And will go so nicely with that sweater- is that your owl?"

Scorpius also glanced at Molly's handiwork, "Oh that is cool! Don't you have another with pixie?"

"Yeah, my grandmother makes them every year. Somehow she never runs out of designs even with so many of us."

Narcissa perked up, "Molly Weasley… I… well I guess we went to school together. It has been ages. Exactly how many grandchildren does she have?"

Al paused a moment, tallying his cousins, "Twelve of us. Well really thirteen with Teddy Lupin…"

"You know Teddy Lupin- Edward?" Narcissa leaned in greedily at the table, "How old is he now? Well, he must be of age if I remember… what does he do? Does he have a girlfriend? Talents?"

Albus blinked and looked at Scorpius, who had stopped shoveling cranberry sauce into his mouth in his bewilderment. "I… I didn't know you knew him?" Albus replied slowly, thinking about how uneasy Teddy had looked at the prospect of Al joining the Malfoys today. Scorpius shook his head shortly, indicating that he also was unaware of his grandmother's interest. The older woman righted herself a little, explaining, "Well he is actually my sister's daughter's son, whatever you might call that- but with such a small family he is Scorpius' closest relative. We… my sister… we lost touch and unfortunately did not get the chance to reconnect before..." Her eyes drifted off to focus on something invisible to Al's right side, sad.

Al tried to remember, but he couldn't recall ever hearing about any of Teddy's relatives being alive. But he was quite older and perhaps she had… Al guessed that Narcissa's had refered to her sisters passing, early in his life.

Draco had been surveying the conversation tensely, but now comforted his mother, "It's okay, why don't we talk about other things." A change in topic seemed very attractive to him. But Narcissa smiled and reanimated, brushing her son's hands off gently, "No, no its just the sentimentality of age. Please Al, what does he do?"

Al paused again but this time it was to organize everything he knew about Teddy Lupin, "Well I suppose it's more of what he hasn't done," he started, "He travels with my Uncle Charlie a lot, wrangling dragons- even was an apprentice for the summer when he dropped out of Hogwarts. He traveled to Bulgaria with a circus- see he can change his hair and face, even give himself a tail! He played Quidditch when he was a student, helped out in the joke shop for a bit. I know he stayed with Luna Lovegood - Spent a lot of time on a boat- not sure if he liked that. Oh, he stayed with a giantess one summer too! I think McGonagall was registering the villages or something… He's back at school this year, trying to finish his O.W.L.s and hopefully qualify for a short-track degree from the Ministry."

Al finished, satisfied with his impressive description of Teddy. But as he caught the brilliantly bug-eyed face of Narcissa, he began to suspect he might have misjudged his audience. "Well, that is… that's quite the life he's got there as a young man…"

Draco seemed highly amused, controlling a snicker as he patted his mother again, "What did you tell me he was bound to become? A ministry official- maybe join me in zoning?"

Astoria smiled thoughtfully, "Well those are great stories for a future professor maybe! I always thought his father was one of the best teachers- even with his condition… and being so close to the Gryffindor's of course." Her eyes twinkled at Al, "Just some old house rivalry though…"

But Narcissa had shifted her mood once more as if remembering some horrible forgotten detail. Al guessed what it was before she addressed him, but was still caught off guard by the viciousness in her tone- hadn't she just been over the moon with the mention of a distant relative?

"He's not afflicted is he?"

"Mother." Draco now got up from the table and hastily scooped up the plates, even though most were only half-eaten. He eyed her sternly, as if she were his child, "That's not appropriate." He turned to Al matter-of-factly, "You do not have to answer that."

"Oh, Draco please. You're turning into the airheads in that Ministry more and more. Pretending that things like that…"

"It's called Lycanthropy," Al spoke up, briefly stunning her. "There's potions these days, pretty widespread, to treat some of the symptoms… we were learning in class…" He drifted off, realizing that Narcissa had not been avoiding the word out of ignorance.

"Yes, well it's the descent that you have to worry about- they can get power hungry and when you can wield such a weapon, they start embracing the ghastlier instincts. Doing away with the tagging and registry was a cowing move to the uninformed flower children that Ministry is full of at the moment!"

Astoria looked affronted but simply shook her head and proceeded to help her husband with the dishes. Al glanced briefly at Scorpius, who was doing his best not to return eye contact. The faintest tinge of color was now emanating from Draco's forehead, "Mother that is quite enough. Please, you know the ones intent on going down that path didn't register anyway. It was preventing those that were trying from getting jobs and barely improved crime." Again, he eyed Al nervously, "But really- this is not the time… lets get to the festival or we'll miss the early shows."

Narcissa looked incredulously at the couple and flashed her eyes, "So tag them when they're younger, make it a condition to be educated!"

"ENOUGH!" Draco spoke more forcefully as he slammed the fridge. Narcissa seemed to finally give in, still looking venomous before landing again on Al and changing to a sickly-sweet concern.

"But no, Teddy doesn't have it." He felt rather revolted as the reassurance swept away her apprehension and she fell back into friendly chatter about classes and Quidditch prospects, a perfectly pleasant grandmother.