Hellooo guys!

Hopw you're all having an awesome time and no where near as stressed out as I am right now! (Life sucks sometimes right?)

Anyway, as per usual, BIG thank you's to:

DarthRag and misfitRJ for the follows/faves.

And also of course to the two of you who reviewed:

Plucie~ Heyyaaa! I'm really excited tooo! It's finally here; and I hope the Scor in this chap lives up to the one in my mind because I promise he's great there.

Guest~ I know! He's a typical cat, tarty and unfaithful. But it's the holidays so he's been forced home and he'll pop up at some point or another :)

So, without further adooo, enjoy my Scor-focued chap. Hope you all like it!

Love ya', Cookie xx

Chapter 24- The Downsides of a Name, A Growing Surprise and a Heart to Heart

The house was cold.

Not in the literal sense, though the temperature was quite low, but it was more than that.

His mother and father had completely redecorated and refurbished it so his home was actually not as dated or creepy as you'd expect the centuries old building to be, but when Scorpius arrived and there was no one to greet him, he felt cold.

He always did.

Shivering internally, he walked towards his room, in the East Wing. At times he loved the space of his home. He could wander round it for hours, going from room to room, reading, drawing, or just lying around, but then at others, when his parents were away, he hated it. It was much too big, much too grand, for only three people, let alone the one when they were gone.

The house still had elves. Scorpius didn't like being waited on by them, and his father had tried to free them, but they had this ingrained sense of duty to the Malfoy family and wouldn't leave, at a compromise, they accepted pay and took holidays every so often. Scorpius almost wished they were on holiday now but of course they wouldn't be, the Malfoy heir was home.

"What would Young Master Malfoy like, sir?" One of them asked appearing at his side in no less than a minute since Natalia had left.
"I'd like for you to call me Scorpius" he requested for the millionth time, slowing his pace automatically as the little elf trotted alongside him.
"That would not be correct for Sif to do sir." The elf shook her head, "Would Young Master Malfoy like anything to drink, to eat?"
"No thank you, Sif"
"If you're sure sir?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Thank you"
"Okay. But Sif, will be here if Young Master Malfoy changes his mind. Yes, Sif will be here"
"Alright Sif, you may go now"
"As you wish sir" and the Elf popped out of his sight. Scorpius felt bad for dismissing her but she wouldn't go any other way. Sitting on his bed he regretted coming home so soon.

He knew he could have gone to Ly and Lorcan's but he didn't want to on the off chance their dad would come home. They had said he wasn't due back yet, but he could have been there sooner, maybe to surprise them or something.

Scorpius didn't want to be around someone who hated him so much. Apparently Rolf Scamander was a nice man, Scorpius had never witnessed it first-hand, though, maybe he would have if he had kept his name to himself.~

"Oh hello, you must be Scorpius. I always did wonder whether or not you would remind me of your father. You look a lot like him you know. Very handsome" Luna Scamander stepped forwards and immediately hugged Scorpius. He had just gotten through the door.
"Muuum!" Lysander and Lorcan complained together.
"Sorry. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable. The twins have told me so much about you. I just feel like I know you already" She told Scor.
"That's okay, Mrs Scamander. I don't mind" he shrugged.
"Oh please. Call me Luna, I'm not too fond of Rolf's surname but Daddy insisted I take it, he said it's only proper for a witch to take their husband's name. I disagree of course, but it was one of his last wishes-" her eyes welled up and she looked off into the distance, Lorcan and Lysander moved to stand by her, rubbing small circles on her back. She shook her head.
"Oh how rude of me! Would you like some tea, Scorpius?"
Behind her, the twins shook their heads quickly. "No thank you, er, Luna"
"We're just going to play Quidditch, okay mum?" Lysander said, moving toward the backdoor.
"Sure, but be careful of- "
"The dirigible plums, we know" he called, ushering Scorpius and his brother out.
"Sorry about her, she's-"
"Great." He finished, adding "Your mum's lovely."
"You mean, you don't think she's weird?"
"No, who's to say what's normal and what's not? Wait till you meet my parents"
"I knew, I liked him for a reason Lorc"
"Yeah, let's keep him Ly."
The young boys hugged Scorpius between them and rubbed their knuckles across his head, breaking free he kicked off the ground on his broom and flew off.~

The three boys landed windswept and tired from all the flying. It was a windy day so the resistance had affected them too. Scorpius heard the wind chimes blowing in the breeze and it felt magical as he walked into their odd shaped house.

He was sitting at the table with the boys eating sandwiches Luna had made them when the boys' dad walked in the front door.
"Oh who's this then?" he asked with a large smile, noticing Scorpius at the table with his sons.
Scorpius stood, remembering his manners and held out his hand to the man, "Scorpius Malfoy, pleasure to meet you sir"
Scor felt the man's hand go slack after he uttered his last name, his smile vanished.
"Oh" Scor's hand fell and he took a step backwards. "Luna dear, may I speak with you in the dining room?"
Rolf stepped out of the room and held the door open, his wife following him out.
Scorpius turned to his friends but they just shrugged, looking confused also, they were too young to know why their dad had acted the way he had.
Minutes later, Luna emerged.
"I'm very sorry for my husband's behaviour. He's very protective of me see and he dislikes you because of the time I spent at your home in the war. I have told him how ridiculous he's being but he won't see sense. He wasn't a Ravenclaw, so I suppose I should be more understanding. I hope you know that, I do not blame you, nor your father for anything that happened in the war. Draco was a lost boy, and he has done everything humanly possible to make up for his family's deeds. He is a great man; he must be a wonderful father. Please, ignore my husband, I really would like for you to stay" Luna told him without pause, not bothering to censor her words around the eleven year old Malfoy, though she didn't have to; Draco had taught Scorpius about the war from a young age.

All he could think was, 'This must be what Dad meant by people treating me differently because of my name. He warned me 'Malfoy' might upset some people' . His dad had been right and it upset him to know.

"Um. Thank you, but I er, I should be going…" he moved towards the fireplace and the twins stood.
"No Scor wait" he also heard Luna's own insistence he stay but how could he?
He turned to them one final time. "Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs Scamander" he said before taking Floo powder from the ornate pot and throwing it into the flames.

Scorpius remembered that day so clearly. It had been during the October holidays of his first year and he had been so excited to visit his new friends. When he came back though, he had vowed never to go there again.

He had been so upset and the fact that he returned to a home void of his parents had upset him further, at some point later in the evening, Natalia came over to retrieve some designs and she had found him curled up in the library with a tear stained face. He had told her about it all and what had happened, she'd comforted him and he'd been grateful, bonding further with the woman who had been around as he'd grown up, but still, he'd wished his parents had been the ones there at the time.

The memory made Scorpius doubt even more that the twins would make an appearance at New Year. They had argued with their father following Scor's first visit and apparently Luna had managed to get him to compromise, Scorpius was okay to visit, but the twins couldn't go to his house. Scorpius still hadn't wanted to return, and he refused to for the remainder of their first year, making excuses each time. Until a day during their summer holidays, Luna turned up on the doorstep with her boys to ask Scor's parent's permission. His mum had come down from her office to answer the door and of course she allowed him to go. As his mum stood there, talking to Luna, he couldn't refuse. He knew Luna had done it to put him on the spot and it had worked. Since then, Scorpius had visited the twins' house many times over the years, spending long periods of time there over the summer, still he was only really willing if Rolf Scamander was guaranteed to be away.

He didn't like being glared at. But he knew that Rolf was due home from his latest trip any time now. Despite their disagreement over Scorpius, he knew the twins respected and loved their dad. He couldn't quite see them coming to the New Year's Ball if he really put his foot down and said they couldn't.

Bored and alone, Scorpius unpacked and roamed the house, walking in no particular direction he wasted an hour that way. Coming back to his room, he found food prepared for him, he ate gratefully and went to sleep early. There wasn't much else he wanted to do.~

At Hogwarts, Scor could sleep through numerous alarms, both Muggle and magical, at home, the slightest noise woke him. Maybe it was because the house was so quiet that any noise was unusual. He was woken by two sets of footsteps coming down the East Wing corridor. They stopped near his door and he feigned sleep. Closing his eyes just as a strip of light spilled across him.

"He's asleep" his mother's voice muttered from his doorway.
"Leave him be, you can tell him over breakfast" his dad told her softly, his voice was always so full of care when he addressed her.
There was a pause. Scor could almost hear them breathing.
"Okay. Tomorrow." His mother muttered, probably to herself.
"Goodnight my baby boy" he heard her whisper into the dark and the door clicked shut.
Scor had one thought, Tell me what? ~

When Scor woke up, it was late. Well later than he would usually sleep in but he hadn't really slept much the night before the journey home so he'd been quite tired. It was almost eleven so he assumed his parents would be at work by now. Or at least in their respective work rooms.

He trudged down towards the family kitchen, half asleep, in his dressing gown. Smells of breakfast assaulted his nose. The elves were up obviously. Though that was weird, the elves never cooked in the family kitchen. They prepared food in the main kitchen, the large one at the back of the house, industrial sized, originally installed to allow the Malfoys to throw lavish feasts and banquets. His mother hadn't liked it and had had the 'family kitchen' converted from one of the many rooms in the household when Scorpius had been three. He had wonderful memories of cooking with his parents in there, though they were few and far between.

Confused, he opened the door into the kitchen and was surprised to see his mother and father sat at the breakfast bar. His mother beckoned him over with a wide smile across her face, he came over willingly and wrapped her in a hug, placing a kiss on her cheek before sitting. He nodded at his father who smiled back.

"You've grown so much!" Astoria told him. "I've missed you"
"Missed you too mum" he replied genuinely, walking towards the fridge to look for food.
"Oh no, honey. Come sit. I made breakfast"
He sat obediently and watched as his mother used her wand to summon three clean plates, a bottle of maple syrup, and a fourth plate he hadn't noticed from the kitchen counter. The fourth plate held a large steaming pile of pancakes. That had been the smell.

His mother looked satisfied as she divvied out the pancakes between the three of them, with still more to spare.

"These look great mum, when did you make them?"
"A little while ago"
"I'm sorry I came down so late, I thought you'd be at work. You guys didn't have to wait for me to eat you know."
"That's what I told her" Draco said between bites with a smile.
"Well I wanted us to actually have breakfast together, as a family. For once" she sighed. "That and I have some news for you. Well we have." She added eyes brightening.
He set down his fork, looking up, "What is it?"
Draco sighed, "I did say he wouldn't eat if you told him first"
She smiled a little, "Sorry. I just couldn't help it"
"Guys I am still here"
"Finish your breakfast first" she smiled, going back to hers.
Scorpius finished his in large mouthfuls, practically inhaling it before placing his cutlery down with finality. His father laughed and his mother shook her head, no doubt at his poor table manners but he didn't care. He wanted to know what the news was.

"Okay well, I guess this means you can tell him now" Draco told Astoria
"And before you moan about not telling you earlier, it was because I wanted to see your face" she beamed looking to her husband, he nodded with a smile. Whatever the news was, it wasn't bad.
"Go on, mum" he encouraged.
"I'm pregnant!" she cried.
He sat there, mouth wide. Not quite registering it. He was going to be a big brother? He was going to have a sibling?

His mum was pregnant?

"Well, say something honey" she said, he face falling at his lack of reaction.
"Sorry mum, I was just registering it" he grinned at her and the corners of her mouth rose in response, "I'm so happy for you" he moved to hug her and she squeezed him back tightly. Only now did he notice the bump under her black tunic.
"I couldn't wait to tell you" she said, pulling back with teary eyes. "You're going to be a big brother!" she couldn't shift the grin of her face and Scor didn't want it to leave so he grinned back and hugged her again. ~

Eventually, work called and the real routine of the Malfoy household resumed. Astoria retreated to her studio and Draco to his office. Scorpius was left to roam the house. Ending up back in his very own wing, he sat in his personal library, one of the four the house held. He was sat in a comfy armchair with a Muggle book when he was interrupted by a knock on his door.

"Sorry to interrupt" his father's voice carried across to him as he wandered over, looking at the shelves in the room.
"Looking for anything in particular?" he asked, as his dad trailed over the spines. Scor knew this library well. It had become his over the years.
"No not really. You have muggle fiction?" his dad asked holding up a copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
"Yes and non-fiction." He pointed over at the next two shelves which harboured his collection of books by genre. His collection of Muggle literature had vastly grown over the last six years when the twins had first introduced him to it. Roxanne had been the one to really get him into it and she often gave him Muggle books to borrow or keep.

"Good."
"Good?"
"It's good that you're exploring outside your own world. I'm glad"
"Thanks" he muttered, not sure how to respond to his father's approval.

"So, how are you, son?"
"Fine thanks. How are you dad?" Scorpius had given up trying to guess what his father's motives were at the moment.
"Oh, I'm fine. I want to know how you are right now though?" he came over, sitting opposite Scor in another chair.
"Right now? I'm still fine dad"
Draco chuckled a little, "Allow me to rephrase. How are you feeling after this morning?"

"You mean how I feel about the pregnancy?" he nodded. "I'm really happy, Mum's wanted another child for years now"
"You're not answering my question. Not how do you feel for your mother. How do you personally feel?"
He sighed, "Surprised, I mean, I didn't think she could have any more kids. And worried I guess. Will she be okay?"
"I don't doubt she'll be fine but she's worried too. She's so excited, but she's really scared. You being there for her, it helped her so much today. She was afraid you wouldn't be happy"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, you've been an only child for so long…"
"Dad, I'm old enough to know that she's not replacing me just because she's having a baby."
"That's what I said, but you know how she can be"
"Yeah. I guess. So support her. Check. Anything else?"
"You still haven't really answered me. How are you feeling?"
"I told you. Happy but worried. What more is there?"
"There's more. I can see it."
"How?"
"Scorpius, I don't know how, but you did. You learned that face from me. That face that you have, when you don't want people to know how you're really feeling? I had it when I was your age. Used it more often than not actually. I know there's more because I recognise that face, son. So, tell me how are you feeling?"

"I dunno. Scared? A little apprehensive... Annoyed."
"There it is. Why annoyed? And don't say you don't know because I can tell you've been thinking about it"
"Well, I never told you this but I was thinking about back in first year, when my friends' dad basically didn't want his sons to hang around me just because I'm a Malfoy"
"Rolf Scamander?" Draco didn't look surprised in the least.
"Yeah. I was thinking about that, how unfair it is. This baby; is going to be born with the name Malfoy and it's going to be judged because of it. It just makes me so annoyed that people can't look past things like that and judge people based on who they are, not where they come from."
"So, who is it you're angry at?"
"The world I guess. People like Ly and Lorc's dad. People stuck in the past that refuse to change."
"Are they the only people you're angry at?"

"I guess"
"You're doing it again" he told him flatly.
"Fine. Not really"
"So, who else?"
"You"
"Thought so. Because?"
"You probably know why"
"Tell me why Scorpius"
"Because dad." He took a deep breath, "You have spent so much of your life trying to change people's minds about you. You've been trying to clear the family name, and you have. You did it years ago, and the majority of the wizarding world? They know that, they respect you for what you've done. Or at least they accept you. But dad, there are still people, like Mr Scamander, who won't change. Who can't be changed. No matter how much money you pump into society, not matter how many charities you support, no matter what you do. Some people just won't change, and it annoys me that you won't accept that. That you keep trying, keep pushing to change people's minds and you can't do it. Not everyone will accept you regardless of your name, I'm angry because you spent so much time doing that. Caring what other people think of you that you haven't been there. Okay, so I have memories that involve you dad, I have wonderful memories from my childhood with you and mum, but I don't have nearly enough of them, I don't have as many as I could have had if you weren't so obsessed with how the rest of the world perceive you. We could be closer than we are; I might have told you how I feel sooner, you might have just asked me outright. But we're not that close, dad. And it's because you haven't been around as much as you could have. This baby, boy or girl, I don't want them to have the same resentment that I do. I don't want it to be like it was for me, good memories but not enough of them. So yes, I'm angry. At the world because they won't let go, but also at you because you won't let go either. You let it matter, and you've spent so much time doing that that you've missed time elsewhere. With me. So yeah, I'm angry, because you'll probably do it to your second child too" he wanted to storm off and leave and slam the door. But he controlled himself, his father had purposely gotten him to express his feelings so running away would only be counter-productive.

Draco didn't respond straight away.

He looked his son in the eyes, "When I was growing up, my father wasn't around at all. He made occasional appearances to make sure I was progressing. To ensure I was a good enough son, a good enough heir. And I never was, nothing I ever did was good enough for him. I spent so much time trying to please him, doing what he said, following orders, doing my duty to my family, to the Malfoy name. Well, you know how that played out. When he was imprisoned, I decided I wouldn't retreat and just hide away. I had realised that I didn't owe him anything. He hadn't brought me up, why should I do what he wanted? Be who he wanted me to?"

He paused and Scorpius was enthralled, "I started working to be a better person, to rebuild what had been lost, to find myself. I found your mother along the way. She was one of the first people to not judge me based on my actions in the war, one of the only ones to realise I hadn't been willing. I realised I could have a future with her, a family even. I promised myself if I did, I would be a better father than Lucius was to me. And I have been trying to. But you're right, almost completely. I have been obsessed, and it has taken me away from you and your mother. It's one of my deepest regrets. Where you're wrong though, is that all of what I've done: it wasn't so the world could see me differently, or accept me. Scorpius, I gave up caring what they think of me years ago. It's what the world think of you that has mattered to me, even before you were born; I didn't want any future child of mine to ever be painted by the same brush as me, as Lucius. I've been doing it all for you. I wanted you to grow up normally, without my mistakes affecting you. I guess I failed on two fronts then because you're right, I should have been here instead. But this baby, I will be there for them I promise you. And if you'll accept it, I want to try and be there more for you too. I want you to have more than enough good memories, I just hope it's not too late to do that."

Scorpius was floored, never had he heard his dad talk so openly, so honestly. His voice was raw with emotion. Never had he felt so close, so much like he knew the man before him. It had never crossed his mind that all the times his dad was missing was because he'd wanted to build a better world of for his son. Scorpius had always imagined that it had been his dad struggling with acceptance for himself. But it hadn't. He wasn't angry now, just sad. He also felt bad for never truly appreciating what his dad had done. It had been for him, after all.

"Of course it's not too late dad" he smiled and Draco returned it happily.
"You too old to give your dad a hug?" he held his arms out towards Scor.
"Don't push it" Scorpius laughed, going to him and hugging him back anyway. ~

A/N:

Soooooo thoughts?

No? Well you can have mine for free. I really like Draco as a character, he's my fave and though it's been hinted that Scor has a difficult realtionship with him it's not because he's anything like Lucius. But hey, maybe that'll end up as a better relationship now that they've had that little chat. Also, points if you guessed the 'Growing Surprise' was a baby Malfoy! (I'd be surprised if you did though, I didn't drop any hints) anyone else excited that Scor gets to be a big bro soon?

Anywhoo, hope you liked Scor's chap, it's back to Rox next time but if all goes to plan; it should be back to Malfoy Manor some time in the near future.

I can only apologise for any SPaG errors and the completely random updating schedule, and just say I can't see it improving any time soon.

BUT I WON'T DROP THIS STORY!

So, thanks for sticking with me so far, and I hope you keep doing so.

Tell me what you think!

Muuuucccchhhh Loveeee,

Cookie xx