Weeks turned into months, and after his return to school. Albus slowly but surely began working up the courage to make amends with Scorpius. Things weren't the same, of course, Scorpius kept his distance and hung around far more with his other friends than with Albus, but there were some significant advances.
One noticeable improvement occurred just before the Christmas break when Albus and Scorpius had been partnered together in Charms class.
"You said you were going back to Italy for Christmas?" The blonde nodded, "Yes, unfortunately father was unable to get Christmas off this year- the industry never sleeps and all that- but we've known this since April, so we'll all be in Italy for Christmas day itself but won't be celebrating anything until a week later, at which time we'll come back to England and spend some time at the manor." Al nodded,
"So you're not doing anything on Christmas eve?"
"Nope."
"Why don't you come over to our house for dinner?" The blonde stopped practising his charms and turned to the other man,
"What?"
"Every year on Christmas day we all go over to my grandmother's for Christmas dinner, but on Christmas eve we have a smaller version- almost like a prelude- at our house. I'm sure it won't be anything like the four star cooking you're used to, but mum always asks me if there's anyone I'd like to bring… I just usually say no. You even could come over the night before and stay over, if you want."
"And you don't think it'll cause some tension me being there?"
"Of course it will, but Lilly loves you- so does Rose. James is partial to you and I doubt my mum, dad or aunt Hermione will mind- so you stand a pretty good chance of coming out alive." Scoprius let out a laugh, suggesting he thought Albus was crazy, but agreed never the less.
"Alright, but you'll have to inform your parents. I don't want to show up un-announced." Al nodded,
"I'll owl them straight away."
"This could go spectacularly wrong, you do realise this?" he said, picking his wand up from the table he'd set it down on
"Yeah, but if nothing else it'll be fun".
The end of term was upon them. Scorpius was going to show up on the day before Christmas Eve, spend the night at the Potter residence and then portkey home after dinner. The elder Malfoy was not too happy about his son going into the lion's den as it were, but he had made Hermionie promise to look after her godson and he'd sworn to make his belated Christmas dinner seven times more delicious than the Potters'… Which, given Draco's skill in the kitchen would be less than probable.
He had also told his son to ensure he was not left in a room with the elder Potter or the elder Weasley; both for very different reasons, but both equally valid. Scorpius relayed this fear to Albus who assured him that he wouldn't leave him alone with the older men.
But the stockings were hung in the common rooms and mistletoe was blooming throughout the castle, which meant that the stage was set for the final feast of the year. The students gathered once more to watch Scorpius perform. The choir went first of course, and although their performance was a little less lack lustre than usual the main performance of the night was clearly the young blonde. After the students had finished eating, he took to the stage.
"Hello everybody. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas feast! Tonight I will be singing a Scottish diddy, rather suitable for this time of year and indeed out surroundings. It really is quite strange to think that it's been a year already; especially when so much has happened and so much has changed."
"This song is… was taught to be by someone very special. I just hope I can do it justice" He sighed, looking pensive before lifting a guitar with his right hand
"but I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year." He pulled a stool to the centre of the stage, grabbed a guitar an started to play.
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?"
Scorpius' voice was different than any other time he'd heard him sing – his voice wasn't filled with anger, or despair – but a certain sense of nostalgia as his lips pressed into a firm line
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Scorpius' clothes seemed to transform around him, morphing from his school robes into a thick Christmas jumper with a large reindeer on it. Al looked around as steaming mugs of hot chocolate began appearing in front of each student, and teacher as well as a scarf bearing the Hogwarts crest around their necks.
Snow began to drift slowly from the ceiling, coating everything in a fine white layer that also served to give Scorpius a slightly pink tinge to his already alabaster skin. Students began swaying with the music, some hugging those they wouldn't see for the rest of the year whilst others simply watched the show and drank their hot chocolates.
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
For his part, Scorpius wasn't even looking at his audience. Two semi corporeal figures, one far larger than the other, had appeared in the hall, ice skating with each other smoothly across the air. Albus recognised one of the figures immediately as a far younger Scorpius.
Another man skated up to Draco and took his hand, whilst Scorpius made his way over to a woman. Little Scorpius raised his arms at the woman who picked him up with ease and skated with him held over her head, much to the delight of the child. Scorpius' voice hitched slightly as he watched the scene unfold before him until the figures gently faded away into the snow; leaving only Scorpius in their wake.
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
and surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
The whole thing ended with an eerie calm settling over the stage, but instead of disappearing Scoripus was still standing there when the snow settled, changed back into his school robes and smiling sadly at the audience.