Chapter 5—Through the Fire
"Mr. Potter, the Minister is expecting you. Go through." The Minister's secretary, Sorcha O'Ceallaigh, smiled at Harry and pointed with her bright purple quill. "They're in the Kiln."
"The Kiln? Really?" Harry gave her a curious look. The Kiln was a chamber in which the Minister of Magic and delegates could participate in international meetings by use of a restricted Floo connection. This allowed International Leaders to confer on matters without making special travel arrangements. He wondered what Hermione wished to discuss that could be of international importance. "Wait—They? Who else is in the meeting?"
"I'm afraid that I'm not privy to that information, sir," the secretary replied.
Harry frowned slightly, and gave Ms. O'Ceallaigh a nod before proceeding down the corridor past the Minister's chambers to a set of double doors at the end. He knocked, and the doors swung open, admitting Harry to a small brick chamber. A set of double doors made of iron stood behind a curtain of floo powder that fell from the ceiling over a grate in the floor. Harry retrieved a soot-covered cloak from a row of hooks on the wall and wrapped it about himself, raising the hood, before stepping through the flow of powder and pulling open the doors.
The room had walls of pure white ceramic and was dominated by a long table with seating on each side for approximately ten people. The entire space glowed with cool, emerald green flames. There was a chair at the near end for the Minister of Magic, which was currently occupied by Hermione, and flanking her on each side were Babijide Akingbade, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, and ICW representative for Great Britain, Kingsley Shacklebolt. At the opposite end of the table appeared to rest inside a massive fireplace, where sat MACUSA President, Cherelle Picquery-Tomlinson.
"Minister, Madame President, Mr. Akingbade, Mr. Shacklebolt." Harry nodded politely to each of the dignitaries present. "To what do I owe the honor?"
"Harry, please sit." Hermione gestured. Harry took a seat beside Kingsley. "We have a bit of a problem, and Mr. Akingbade believes that you might be well-equipped to help get a handle on it before things become out of control."
"I don't follow. What does this have to do with MACUSA?" he asked, glancing towards the fireplace.
"Daniel Barbon has been elected to Congress," said the Akingbade.
"Okay?" Harry looked at her with a bemused expression.
"Perhaps I should clarify," President Tomlinson interjected. "Barbon was elected to the United States No-Maj Congress, as a Senate representative for the state of Texas. His campaign was funded almost entirely by the fundamentalist group known as the New Salem Philanthropic Society."
"Isn't that the puritan witch-hunting group? I thought they disbanded in the twenties after that unfortunate Obscurus debacle with Newt Scamander."
"Well, it was the assumption at the time, given that Mary Lou and Chastity Barebone had been killed in the incident. As you may know, MACUSA monitors, but typically does not interfere in matters of No-Maj government. Like the United Kingdom, as President, I am tasked with making acquaintance with the sitting President of the United States and advising him on matters with regard to matters of magic which may affect the U.S. This has been a practice since the repeal of Rappaport's Law in 1965. Typically, this only happens when a new head is elected. We have been fortunate to have no major incidents since my great-grandmother's term of office in the twenties. I am told, however that MACUSA President Jordan maintained regular contact with the sitting POTUS as we monitored the worrisome goings on there before the final fall of Tom Riddle during the nineties.
With the horrific result of the 2016 No-Maj elections, MACUSA seriously considered overturning the repeal of Rappaport's Law. Ultimately, we decided not to make contact with the president unless matters deemed it absolutely necessary, and I issued an executive order, expanding the Department of No-Maj Misinformation and the Federal Bureau of Covert Vigilance and No-Maj Obliviation. One of their tasks was to monitor any possible anti-magic organizational activity. As you know, America has been minimally aware of the existence of wizardkind since its early days. The witch trials in Salem are well-documented in their history books, and celebrated in Salem to this day. This, combined with the fascination stoked by Hollywood and the No-Maj tourism industry in places like Louisiana and Massachusetts for decades, has made keeping a lid on breaches of the Statute of Secrecy a monumental task for MACUSA.
The intense nationalist rhetoric of the past half-decade has led to a resurgence of activism from some Scourer-founded families. The Office of Magic Relations and Education has just acted to create the Steward Academy at Ilvermorny. It is a year-round school-within-a-school for young No-Maj-born students whose families have disowned them due to their magic. Rather than return home at the semester break and end of term, these young witches and wizards remain at Mount Greylock for a No-Maj style after school program, which includes outings to places of No-Maj interest and entertainment, like the movies, theme parks and museums."
"Merlin's pants!" Harry exclaimed.
"While the necessity of such accommodation is simply terrible, I must applaud your resourcefulness in keeping these young mages connected to the world with which they are familiar while providing a safe place for them until they're old enough to go out on their own," Hermione declared.
"Thank you, Minister. However, I digress. The F.B.C.V.N.O. has been working closely with a small group of No-Majs allied to the American Wizarding community."
"You mean relatives of muggleborns," Harry guessed.
"Exactly. This consortium of Aurors, No-Maj and Wizard historians have compiled a list of extant Scourer-founded families that appear to still be active, and discovered something disturbing. In the aftermath of the Grindelwald-Obscurus calamity, Aurors failed to locate Modesty Barebone, who had run away when Grindelwald came looking for her and discovered that Credence was the obscurus he was seeking.
Research of genealogical and census records from the forties turned up a woman by the name of Modesty, who was married to a John Cotton Barbon of Roscoe, Texas."
"Barbon?" Kingsley raised a brow.
"Yes. Our researchers were initially inclined to dismiss it as coincidence, until they noted the names of the Barbon children…Cotton, Chastity and Credence," Tomlinson pointed out. There was a murmur around the far end of the table. "Exactly. As it turns out, John Barbon's father, Waitstill, was the elder brother of Mary Lou Barebone, according to 1920 census documents. However, the 1930 census showed a Waitstill Barbon with the same identifying information."
"So, you think that this Modesty Barebone was taken in by Mary Lou's brother, and eventually married the son?" Harry made a face.
"It appears to be the case. The legality of Mary Lou Barebone's adoptions has always been questionable. Many believe that she simply persuaded the children's parents to give up the children for whom they could not afford to care."
"While this is all certainly fascinating, Madame President, I'm having difficulty understanding what this has to do with me," said Harry.
"Well, it all boils down to this, Mr. Potter. As I mentioned earlier, recent intense nationalist expression has managed to pervade the No-Maj political conversation in America. There has been an alarming increase in, gynophobic, homophobic, racist, and xenophobic rhetoric and government action aimed at marginalizing people in certain minority groups. Since the early twentieth-century, wiccaphobia has largely gone ignored by No-Majs, except among certain fundamentalist religious sects. This has kept the old Scourer-founded families from gaining much traction in the mainstream. However, they've been able to quietly expand their base among certain conservative members of society, and it appears that the New Salem Philanthropic Society has grown substantially. With Barbon's election, they now have a voice in politics."
"Okay. I'm still having a bit of difficulty following."
"We believe that Barbon intends to introduce a bill to legalize the Scourers. The formation of MACUSA, in 1693, effectively brought an end to the Scourers. Many were put on trial for murder, wizard-trafficking, and torture, and the first American Aurors were deputized. The Barebones were one of the families whose Scourer ancestors evaded justice by integrating into No-Maj society. Though they were no longer actively participating in mercenary and vigilante behavior, these families are directly responsible for stoking the embers of fear and anti-wizard sentiment among No-Majs. They've aligned themselves with other fundamentalist and even hate groups in the United States, and there is evidence that some major incidents in history are Scourer related—like Rosewood and Waco. We have intel regarding individuals and whole wizarding families that have gone missing over the last several months, which have all the hallmarks of Scourer activity."
"I see."
"What we've noticed, is that they seem to be staying away from areas where wizarding communities have been long established—like New York, Sweetwater and Houston, Texas; Louisiana and Florida—and targeting mainstream suburban areas, where Gen X and Millennial mages such as ourselves, who have become more independent of the communities in which we were raised, are now integrating." Now Mr. Akingbade spoke up.
"The ICW is mobilizing a select number of wizards and witches as undercover operatives in the United States. We will set them up with homes and employment, in communities where we have identified possible Scourer activity or active recruitment for NSPS."
"I suggested you," said Kingsley.
"But I'm not American," Harry pointed out. "Wouldn't a muggleborn American Auror be a better choice?"
"It would seem so, Harry, except younger No-Maj Aurors tend to stand out. Few have families. They have a tendency towards rogue behavior themselves, and the last thing we want is exposure from a retaliatory attack."
"Your experiences in the war, along with your muggle upbringing and success rate in bringing the Auror department into cooperation with muggle law enforcement, while maintaining the Statute of Secrecy makes you an excellent candidate," Kingsley explained.
"And my family?" he asked. "You're asking me to pick up and move to another country."
"That can be sorted easily enough," said Hermione.
"We could arrange employment for your wife. She's a journalist, right? I'm sure we could find a place for her as a contributor with the Allied Magical Press. As for your children, we welcome them to Ilvermorny on student exchange if they would like."
"James has been named Head Boy this term. I doubt the children would be happy to leave Hogwarts."
"The children may continue to attend Hogwarts, of course. I'm sure you know that Ron and I are happy to act in loco parentis, should the need arise, and it shouldn't be too difficult for them to join you during holidays."
"Okay, so even if I were to convince Ginny to go along, how do you expect someone with my high profile image to be a successful undercover operative?"
"You may be one of the most famous wizards in the world, but who do you expect to take notice of you in the muggle world?" said Kingsley.
Harry stroked his chin and let out a sigh. This was a huge undertaking that would likely send his family into upheaval.
"With all due respect, Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a significant task you asking me to undertake. It wouldn't be right for me to accept this assignment without giving it some thought."
"We understand," said Akingbade. "Would forty-eight hours be enough time?"
"I-I suppose." He shrugged.
"Excellent!" Hermione exclaimed. "President Picquery-Tomlinson, always a pleasure!" Hermione stood, giving the other woman a nod.
"Absolutely! I look forward to the economic summit in October. See you soon!" The flames in the hearth surged and the President disappeared.
"Mr. Akingbade, it has been an honor to have you here as well." The Supreme Mugwump shook hands all around, and stepped into the hearth, disappearing in another surge of green flame.
"Minister—Hermione—I hope we'll have the chance to get together before I return to the U.S." Kingsley embraced Hermione.
"We'd love to have you over for dinner. I'll check my diary and we'll set something up," she smiled. "Harry, you and Ginny should join us!"
"I'd love to," he said. "Of course arranging dinner with Ginny these days is like catching a Snitch." He chuckled.
"Really?" Hermione gave him a curious look. Harry pursed his lips. He hadn't intended to mention his domestic situation in such a manner.
"It's nothing. She's just been really busy lately." He waved nonchalantly. "Let us know. I'm sure she'd enjoy a night out." He clapped Kingsley's shoulder. "Kingsley."
"Harry." Kingsley shook his hand with a firm grip. "You really should consider this assignment. It could put you on the map for a position with ICW Magical Security Council."
"Ah, mate. You know I'm not a politician."
"I recall saying the same thing a little over twenty years ago." Kingsley raised a brow. "Good to see you both." He stepped into the hearth and departed.
Harry accompanied Hermione back to her office, both shivering a bit after their prolonged time inside the warmth of the Kiln.
"Harry, is there something—" she began, but abruptly stopped speaking and stormed up the corridor to her secretary's desk, where a heated confrontation was taking place between her assistant and a woman attired in garish green robes and sporting bright blonde curls.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Harry exclaimed. He touched his wand to his DMLE badge.
"Would someone care to explain what a 'journalist'" Hermione made air-quotes. "With only level two press credentials is doing in a Ministry Department that is restricted to level four-credentialed members of the press!" she demanded.
"Minister, do you or Mr. Potter care to comment on Young Malfoy's elopement from a Wizengamot hearing on charges of violating the Statute of Secrecy?" Rita whipped out her Quick-Quotes Quill and a parchment.
"I do not!" Hermione gave Skeeter a look of disdain.
"Is it true that you apprehended Malfoy as he attempted to infiltrate the Department of Mysteries?"
"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement does not comment on proceedings of the Wizengamot Office of Juvenile Affairs."
A perplexed-looking Auror raced through the department doors, just as two senior-level Aurors apparated into the Minister's outer office.
"I-I'm not certain what happened, Madame Minister. I-I had to use the loo? Ex-except, apparently I didn't?"
"A Confundus charm? You really fell for that, Maddox?" Harry pinched his brow. "Gentlemen. Take Ms. Skeeter into custody for breach of Ministry Security. Place her on a forty-eight hour hold, pending a Wizengamot hearing. Send Sterling up to cover this office, until the Secondary Security Unit arrives." The Aurors nodded and placed Rita under a secure binding charm before disapparating. He turned back to the other young Auror with a glare, "You are relieved of duty until further notice. I will see you in my office at nine a.m. sharp! You are dismissed!"
"Merlin's pestle!" Hermione swore as Harry escorted her back to her office.
"You really ought to have that woman's credentials revoked," Harry suggested.
"I've made the suggestion numerous times, as did Kingsley when he was in office. Skeeter's got so much dirt on Wizengamot Archontes, the move never gains any traction. She's more slippery than Lucius Malfoy at the height of the war!" She dropped into her desk chair and ran her fingers through her hair. "Speaking of which, what did happen with Scorpius?" she asked. "Did he really try to make a run for it?"
"Not exactly." Harry took a seat in one of the armchairs in front of her desk. "During the recess for deliberations, he had a panic attack. I don't think he was actually intending to run away. Draco went after him, and they wound up in the Department of Mysteries. Draco got stuck in the Entrance Chamber. I found Scorpius in the Death Chamber." Hermione let out a gasp.
"No!"
"Fortunately, I got to him before he got too near the veil."
"He could hear them? The voices that you and Luna described?" she asked.
"Well, his mother has passed on." Harry shrugged, regretfully.
"Shame, that." Hermione murmured. "So what was the outcome of the hearing?"
"They let him keep his wand. I mentioned in my statement, that I really believe his behavior was more of a coping mechanism for the stresses he's had to deal with. He seems genuinely remorseful."
"Well, only time will tell. Hugo says that he seems nice enough. He gets picked on at school, even by some of the Slytherins."
"Well, that's one worry, he won't have to contend with any more. He's been expelled from Hogwarts." Harry pursed his lips.
"Really? I'll bet Draco had plenty to say about that!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Actually, Draco was rather stoic. His disappointment was evident, but he simply admonished Scorpius to walk with his chin up, and they left." Harry swiped a hand over his face, scratching the stubble on his chin. "I rather feel bad for them, to be perfectly honest."
"Al's going to be just devastated when he finds out!" she shook her head.
"I don't know. Scorpius said something that made me wonder if they haven't had a falling out of some sort."
"Did he?"
"In the midst of his panic, he mentioned something about losing Albus forever, and something that he never should have told him. Whatever it was, he thought that Albus would never speak to him again." Harry stood. "I suppose I should get going. Whatever has happened, Albus is bound to be distressed by it."
"I understand. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help." Hermione stood, rounding her desk to give Harry a hug. "I'll be in touch about dinner with Kingsley."
"Sure." Harry gave her a smile and stepped into her hearth to floo directly to his office, where he gathered a few files and put them into his briefcase.
Harry greeted a few people as he exited the DMLE and took the lift down to the Atrium. He nodded to the security wizard on duty and headed for an exit fireplace.
"Potter!" the sound of Harry's name resounded in the cavernous hall, giving several people pause. Harry turned to see Draco Malfoy rushing in his direction, robes disheveled, and a stricken look upon his face.
"Malfoy?"
"He's gone! Scorpius has disappeared!"
The bell on his hearth tinkled incessantly, and Albus immediately leapt from his bed and knelt in front of the fireplace, tossing in a pinch of floo powder. Scorpius' tormented expression was all he needed to see to know that things had not gone well at all.
"Oh, Scorpius, no!" he moaned.
"May I come through?" Scorpius hiccupped. "Please!" he begged.
Albus hesitated a moment, and heaved a resolute sigh, before he dragged the fire screen aside and cast a privacy spell.
"C'mon!" he gestured to Scorpius, who stepped out of the hearth a second later. Albus pulled him into a tight hug, and Scorpius sobbed for several minutes.
"Is—is it o-okay for me to be here?" he quietly hiccupped.
"Lily's at Aunt Hermione's and James is with Teddy. I locked the door and cast a privacy spell—I think."
"Muffliato!" Scorpius pointed his wand at the door and window. "Just in case." He gave a weak smile as he tucked it back into his robes.
"They let you keep your wand!"
"But I can't go back to Hogwarts!" Scorpius complained. "We'll never—I mean—" he paused, stepping away from Albus. "I'm sorry. I should—" He turned to the fireplace, reaching for the floo powder.
"Scorpius, wait!" Scorpius paused, but did not turn back to him. "W-why did you leave so abruptly the other day?"
"I—you were freaking out."
"No, I wasn't."
"Look. I told you, I was emotional. Everything is so fucked up right now."
"So…you don't have feelings for me?" Albus asked.
"I don't—Albus—I don't know! Maybe I do. I think about you all the time. Term holiday is torture! Nobody knows me like you do. Nobody understands me like you do! You're the reason I keep trying so hard to get Rose to like me. It's not her I want to be with! It's you!" Scorpius finally turned to him. Albus stared at him in shock, his mouth agape.
"Scorpius, I—I don't—" he began. His mind was a jumbled mess and his heart pounded painfully in his chest. "I mean, I—"
"I-I'm sorry! Please don't hate me, Albus! I'd rather have you as a friend than not have you at all!" Scorpius' eyes filled with tears.
"For Merlin's sake would you stop interrupting me!" Albus' tone was filled with exasperation. Scorpius sniffled, biting his lip.
The two young wizards stood awkwardly avoiding each other's eyes for several tense moments, until finally Albus heaved a sigh, raking his fingers through his hair. He grabbed the lapels of Scorpius' finely tailored robes and pulled him close, pressing their lips together.
Harry apparated himself and Draco back to his office, avoiding the curious onlookers in the atrium. He warded the door and turned to the other wizard, who paced anxiously in front of his desk.
"What happened?" Harry asked.
"Father! The fucking bastard! No sooner had we arrived home, than he's there with Madame Březina!"
"Madame Březina?"
"Headmistress of Durmstrang! Can you believe? After I'd explicitly told him in no uncertain terms that I would never send Scorpius to that prison! Astoria would never forgive me!"
"Surely, Scorpius had to know that you wouldn't do such a thing!"
"Of course I wouldn't! I promised him, Potter! Only, the boy was in such a state after the hearing! He—he just ran out! I've searched the entire house from the attic to the cellar, and every inch of secret passages. I've checked the folly, kennels, stables, the old groundskeeper's lodge, aviary, and every single conservatory. I flew over the maze and even the lake where Astoria and I used to take him on picnics when he was younger! He's completely disappeared! What if something happens to him, Potter? I've already lost the one true friend I've ever had! I can't lose him too!" Draco sank into the chair in front of Harry's desk and bowed his head, loose strands of his fair hair shrouded his face as he stared at his hands. Harry perched on the edge of his desk.
"What does Scorpius usually do when he is upset? Is there someplace special that he retreats to?" he asked. Draco raked his hands through his hair.
"I suppose, he usually hides in his room, or the nursery. Since we lost Astoria, I've found him at the folly, beside her grave."
"But you didn't find him in any of those places this time?"
"I checked them all first," Draco insisted. "I swear, I could hex Father straight into oblivion!"
"Calm down, Malfoy. Let's just go about this sensibly. He's not in any of the usual places. What about elsewhere on the estate? Were all of your horses and transport brooms accounted for?"
"I bought him a new gelding for his birthday, but I saw it in the paddock when I searched the stables. Both of his brooms were in the cupboard with mine in the Grand Foyer. Scorpius doesn't wander about in the woods. These days, the outlying land isn't warded, and he's been warned of the possibility of encountering muggles." He held up his hands at Harry's exasperated look. "It's not that, but I thought I'd done a better job of teaching him to be wary of using magic in the presence of the non-magical."
"Point taken," Harry acquiesced. He summoned a piece of parchment and a quill, quickly scribbling a note. "Right then. Quiggles!" A house-elf appeared with a resounding crack.
"Yes, sir, Mr. Potter, sir!" The tiny elf gave him a bow and an exaggerated salute. Harry handed him the note.
"Deliver this to Chester Davies in the Improper Use of Magic Office. Tell him that I need this inquiry run immediately and to return results the moment he has them."
"Right away, sir!"
"What was that all about?" Draco asked, indignant that Harry would concern himself with clerical matters when he had come to him for assistance with his crisis.
"I think I might have a hunch as to where Scorpius might be, but I'd like to be absolutely certain before we leap in with wands blazing. Given that he is underage, if he's used any magic at all, since you last saw him, we might be able to locate him using the Trace."
"Might?"
"If he's in the vicinity of other mages, things become a bit trickier." The house elf returned with a rolled parchment, and handed it to Harry, who unfurled and examined it. Draco stood and looked over his shoulder.
"That's a map of the grounds at the Manor!" he declared.
"Are your parents in residence?" Harry asked.
"They live in the lodge just there," Draco pointed.
"And what's this building?" Harry asked, pointing to a blinking blue dot.
"Why, that's the old coachman's cottage! I checked, and no one was there! I'm certain of it! I even cast a revealing spell! I don't understand!"
"I'm sure you are correct, Malfoy, but this does indicate that Scorpius was in fact there within the last three hours." Harry scribbled on another parchment, and folded it, handing it to the waiting elf. "Have Madam Edgecombe send me a connections report for this floo address, please. Tell her, I need it ASAP." Barely five minutes passed before the elf reappeared, bearing a small note. Harry unfolded it, and Draco anxiously looked over his shoulder once again.
"Connection unknown!" Draco groaned. "How is that even possible? What are you doing?" he demanded when Harry began to gather his belongings.
"I'm leaving."
"I beg your pardon? What about my son?" Harry gave him a smile, raising a brow. "You know where he is?"
"Of course I do. It says right there on the report." He opened the door. Draco stared at him, dumbfounded. "Coming?"
Scorpius stood, frozen with astonishment. The warmth radiating from Albus' body, his firm grip on Scorpius' arms and the tender yet insistent pressure of the other wizard's lips against his sent a rush of excitement through him, and prickled his skin with goosebumps. Scorpius let out a sigh and parted his lips, returning the kiss. He placed his hands on Albus' waist. They clung to one another, kissing until Scorpius felt an unbidden stirring below his waist. He pushed Albus away.
"Wait—Albus—wait! What are you doing?"
"Kis…sing you?" Albus answered uncertainly. His cheeks glowed bright red, and he touched a hand to his tingling lips. The realization of what they'd done descended upon him like a ton of bricks. "I kissed you!" he breathed. "We kissed!"
"I know!" Scorpius exclaimed. "What have we done? Merlin!" He sat down heavily on the edge of the bed.
"I erm…I rather liked it," Albus confessed, sinking down beside him.
"Y-you did?" Scorpius sheepishly glanced at him.
"Didn't you?"
"I—Merlin, yes!" he breathed. Scorpius felt a flush creep up his neck and spread across his cheeks. "Erm…c-could I…kiss you…a-again?" he asked.
"I'd like that," Albus whispered. They turned to one another, and Scorpius cupped Albus' chin in his hands.
They began to kiss once more, and Scorpius leaned into him, until they were reclining on the large bed, their arms wrapped around one another, bodies pressed close. Albus let out a soft sigh.
"You're so beautiful!" Scorpius whispered.
"How will I ever survive Hogwarts alone?" Albus whimpered.
"I can't breathe without you!" Scorpius quietly declared.
"Shhh! Let's just have our now." They began to kiss anew, until they were startled by the sound of voices on the stairs, growing closer.
"The Trace only detected his last use of magic in a plottable location. That's what led me to believe he might have come here," said Harry as he led Draco up the stairs.
"Shit!" Albus and Scorpius sat up, listening apprehensively. "My dad! Who's he talking to?" Albus summoned a pair of extendable ears from his desk, and passed one to Scorpius. They fed them under the door to listen.
"I see you've removed the severed elf heads. They gave me nightmares after the first time we visited."
"You've been here?"
"Once or twice, when I was very small."
"That's Father! Shit! Shit!" Scorpius threw down the extendable ear and moved towards the fireplace. Albus grabbed his wrist.
"Wait! If he's here, they already know you're here! No sense running now."
"When the Floo Network showed an untraceable connection, there was only one unplottable address I could think of." Harry gestured to his son's closed door. "Albus! Open the door son!" He knocked soundly.
Scorpius gave Albus a pleading look, and Albus returned it with a placating expression, before flicking his wand. The door swung open and the two older wizards gazed upon their younger selves.
"Scorpius!" Draco exclaimed. "Have you any idea how worried I was?"
"Dad, how could you let them throw Scorpius out of Hogwarts?" Albus cried.
"It isn't that simple, Albus," Harry explained. "You're supposed to get permission before allowing floo visitors, son."
"I won't go to Durmstrang!" Scorpius protested. "I'll leave, and make myself untraceable!" he threatened.
"Scorpius don't say that!" Albus scolded him. "Dad! He was upset! He just needed someone to talk to!" he insisted.
"Scorpius, I would never send you to Durmstrang!" Draco crossed the room to his son. "Didn't I swear it? Have I ever broken a promise to you?"
"It isn't fair!" Albus complained. Harry went to Albus, and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders.
"I know it's difficult, Albus, but it's the decision of the court, and we have to abide by it, whether we like it or not."
"You're not the one who has to go back to Hogwarts alone!" Albus muttered, turning away from his father, and sprawling across his bed.
"What am I going to do, if I can't go back to Hogwarts?" Scorpius lamented.
"We will figure something out."
"Harry? What's going on? Malfoy?" The four wizards turned to see Ginny standing in the doorway wearing an expression of confusion and surprise.
"Ginny! You're home early," Harry noted.
"Ginevra." Draco nodded.
"What are they doing here?" Ginny demanded. "Albus, what have you gotten into?"
"Wha—why must I have done something?" Albus whined. He gave his mother a wounded look.
"Because I come home to a cacophony of noise, and find Malfoys standing in my son's room complaining about fairness and refusing to go to Durmstrang!" Ginny glared at Draco and Scorpius. "You know, I heard Rita Skeeter going on about how he absconded from the hearing and had to be dragged out of the Department of Mysteries!"
"It's in the paper?" Scorpius wailed.
"Ginny!" Harry snapped. "It isn't in the paper, Scorpius. Rita has been detained for a breach in Ministry Security. Besides The Prophet isn't allowed to report on cases before the Juvenile Affairs panel. Don't worry," he assured the boy before turning back to his wife.
"If he's somehow gotten our son involved in his shenanigans, Harry—"
"Mum!"
"Ginny, that is enough! Surely you must realize that the boys have been dealt a severe blow today. Neither has had an easy time of it at school, and now they're to be separated. You might show a bit of compassion."
"Really, Harry? Really?" Ginny curled her lip in disgust. "Twenty years is hardly long enough!" She gave him a resentful look and spun on her heel before disapparating. A moment later, they heard a distant pop followed by a door slamming somewhere below.
"We should go," Draco said. He tugged at the lapels of his robes and gave his hair a toss. "I think that's enough excitement for one day, don't you, Scorpius?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter," Scorpius apologized.
"It's alright, Scorpius, but you did give your father a pretty serious fright—and not for the first time today." Harry raised a brow. "I realize things have been difficult, but maybe try and give him a chance. I'm sure you'll come up with something that will work out for the best."
"Dad, can Scorpius and his dad stay for tea?" Albus begged. Harry pursed his lips.
"I don't think Mum would be too happy with that, son. Perhaps some other time."
"Fine." Albus mumbled, shoulders slumped.
"Draco, maybe we can give the boys a moment?"
"Oh, erm…right! Of course. Tell me, Potter. I seem to recall a room with a massive tapestry. You wouldn't have kept it would you?" he asked.
"Oh, you mean the Black Family tree. As a matter of fact, we did. It's in the drawing room…"
Harry led Draco from the room, and Albus peeked out of the door until he saw them turn at the landing. He closed it, and Scorpius pressed him against it, with a crushing kiss. They clung to one another desperately.
"Scorpius!"
"Albus!"
"I'm…sorry about…Mum—"
"I don't care! Just promise you won't forget about me!" Scorpius begged.
"I'll write to you every day!"
"I'll insist that Father invite you for Yule!"
"I'll make Dad let me visit!"
Draco gazed at the branch the featured portraits of himself, Astoria and Scorpius, marveling at how the tapestry's sentient ability to know when the family composition had changed. He slowly turned, examining the ancient textile, marred in places by scorch marks where his great aunt and other ancestors had removed undesirable family members. Draco's eye landed on the significant Weasley branch, showing the seven children, and now the newest generation of Molly and Arthur's progeny.
"Whoever would have thought that you and I would end up on the same family tree!" he mused with a chuckle.
"If the old bat were alive today, she'd have burned the entire thing!" Harry laughed. Draco smiled, before his expression turned sober.
"Erm…I should thank you, Potter. You didn't have to speak on Scorpius' behalf. I appreciate you coming to his aid, and taking the time to assist me in finding him."
"It's nothing. Kids…they struggle. Merlin knows you and I had our stripes to bear," said Harry. Draco grimaced at the thought. "If I'm to believe all that Al has told us about him over these last few years, I know that Scorpius is a good kid deep down."
"I suppose I might have guessed that he would seek out your boy. Young Albus appeared most distressed to learn that Scorpius has been expelled. I guess I didn't realize the depth of their friendship."
"Al's a sensitive kid. He isn't affable like James, or quick-witted like Lily. He just doesn't have much self-confidence. I do wish he believed in himself a bit more."
"Sounds a bit like Longbottom," Draco remarked.
"Yeah. I guess he does. It isn't easy being my son. Scorpius seems to have a way of making him relax though."
"I daresay Albus does the same for Scorpius. Malfoy doesn't carry the same weight it used to. Scorpius was devoted to Astoria. There's a void there, but when he speaks of your boy, Scorpius lights up, and he doesn't seem as angry or empty inside."
"Friends like that only come along once in a lifetime. Ron was my first real friend. I can't imagine how things might have turned out, had I not met him on the Express that day."
"Who knows, Potter? Perhaps you'd have accepted the hand of a posh wizard named Malfoy." Draco's lips curled into his characteristic smirk. A shiver snaked up Harry's spine, but before he could respond, they heard footsteps on the stairs.
"Dad?" Albus called out.
"In the drawing room, son!" A moment later, Albus and Scorpius appeared, their expressions still somewhat morose, but less distressed. Harry noticed that they held hands, but they released their clasp when each caught his father's eye.
"Ready to go, son?" Draco gave Scorpius a sympathetic smile.
"No," Scorpius pouted. Draco sighed. "I'm only being honest."
"That's understandable. Come. We'll have dinner at Nimue's Cup. Are we able to apparate from here?" Draco asked.
"Oh, yeah. Of course," Harry replied.
"Very well." Draco extended his hand, and Harry gave it a firm shake. "Thank you, Potter."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter." Scorpius shook Harry's hand. He and Albus embraced once again. "Write me?" he whispered.
"Every day!" Albus promised.
"You may continue to floo, Scorpius. However, our children are not allowed to receive calls after…ten p.m." Albus looked at his father in shock. Harry winked.
"Right then. Shall we go, Scorpius?" Draco offered his elbow, and his son grasped it firmly before the pair disapparated.
Ginny's not a happy camper! How will Harry handle the situation, given what he's learned about her? Stay tuned!