Chapter 70 – A mutual agreement to court each other

"Alb!", Scorpius called out when he finally caught up with his friend in front of their Common Rooms entrance. The bare stretch of wall, where the passage was hidden, was already opening.

"Your sister – " He panted while they stepped through the opening. He had to run, to find his friend again, because he had stood in the hall confused for to long. His condition was bad and running from the Great Hall to the deepest part of the dungeon had made him sweaty and left him winded. Albus didn't stop to sit down in one of the low backed sofas, but carried on, while Scorpius trailed behind. They didn't talk while the other Slytherins could listen in.

"Yes, that was my sister you just met. Reddish hair, green eye, cocky as hell and our family's little baby."

Albus made his way up the stairs to their dorm and snickered when Scorpius was at a lose for words. Or maybe he was just out of breath.

"I dunno, Alb. I think she asked me out!"

"Oh I'm sure she finally did." There was no surprise in his tone, just bored affirmation.

"She was earlier than I would have thought. A little precocious that one, but a true Gryffindor, just like my whole perfect family. So, tell me, what do you think of my little sis?"

They entered their dorm, but were the first to come up here. The others of their year liked to spend their time in the Common Room where it was warmer, if any place down here could be called anything but icy anyway.

"I mean, it's your sister. She's cute, you know, like little sisters should be. I never thought of her any other way. That would be inappropriate!"

Albus smiled to himself at Scorpius reaction. His friend looked like he was scandalised that there could be more than just one answer.

"You don't look at your mates sister in any other way!" Scorpius felt like he had to explain himself. Her invitation had obvious caught him off guard.

"But at your mates cousin? That's alright?"

Albus made his way over to his bed and raised his eyebrow, while he dropped his jacket on the chair next to the bed.

"Now wait a moment. When I meet her you weren't my mate yet."

Scorpius defended himself fiercely and loosened his tie. He didn't just pull it over his head, but opened the knot neatly and folded the tie up to place it on his own chair.

"Just keep telling yourself that. Back to my sis. Taking her up on that offer?"

"I can't, can I? She's your sister! I would feel bad!"

"So you want to hurt her feelings by dismissing her without giving it a thought?"

Albus glared at his friend, but Scorpius already looked ready to panic. Maybe he took it to far?

"I – " Scorpius thought about it for a moment. "I think she's sweet. But she's so young. I don't want to go against some sort of codex here."

Albus rolled his eyes. "Then take her out and let her down gently when you see nothing but my sister in her. Nobody told you to kiss and bang her."

Scorpius blushed and gaped at his friend.

"I would never!" He shouted, but Albus was laughing now, because his friends face was the epitome of horror. Understanding that his friend had only made fun of him from the beginning Scorpius was cross with him.

"Are we done with this Hufflepuff moment now?"

Albus asked, leaned back on his bed and looked over at Scorpius, who drew the curtains of his own bed close.

"Common Scorp, no need to be in the sulks."

He got no answer from his friend and signed. Maybe the Hufflepuff comment had been to much, he knew how much Scorpius disliked any comments about the Head sorting him wrong. It was a raw point he tended to forget, because he thought Scorpius should know better than be hurt by a playful comment.

Sadly, it was also a way the rest of their house loved to make fun of Scorpius, because he was utter rubbish at hiding his weak spot.

"For what it's worth, I really think my sister was sincere Scorp and I trust you." Now he sounded like a Puff himself, Albus thought, and let his head fall back, while he closed his eyes.

XxX

Harry was sitting in his office at work a few days later, staring at the map in front of him. He hadn't told his wife anything about it, because he knew he would have to face her wrath. She wouldn't understand why he had made a linked copy of his sons present to watch over him.

He was so afraid for his son, that it had appeared to be a good idea. Looking at it now he knew his son was safe and sound, sitting in a classroom, hopefully without a worry in the world. Harry could still remember how hard it was to be disliked by his schoolmates and it was the last thing he had wanted for any of his children, but Albus was stubborn and never listened to advices.

Harry was still sure, that it would help to keep Malfoy Jr. away from his son, but with the state Hermione was in he hadn't dared. His friend was rather protective of that boy and at latest since Christmas he knew not to speak up without having a huge argument at his hands.

As is his thought had summoned him, Draco Malfoy walked into his office, interrupting his mussing with his arrogant swagger.

"Potter." He acknowledged Harry with a nod and Harry had to blink a few times. The long hair of his old nemesis was gone, just like the cane he had always carried around. Instead the man wore emerald green dress robes, spotted well cut quiet short hair and designer stubble that made him look less like Lucius Malfoy and more like a rebellious version of a Malfoy.

Putting away his espionage tool to hide it, Harry stood up to close to door behind Draco.

"I would say it's nice to see you, but it never is, so lets get straight to the point Malfoy."

"Potter, I understand your dislike for myself, but I don't want my son to continue growing up like this. I was a child that ended up on the wrong side because of my fathers believes. I did what I had to do to keep my family safe back then and I'll do it now again. So get your head out of your ass for once in a while and help me. It's not just my son that's entangled in this web of lies. For Merlin's sake, the boy even asked for a spyglass."

Draco was more than crossed with Harry since he had found out just how bad it had gotten at school for their sons. He would have understood that Harry didn't want to help Scorpius if their son weren't best friends, but they happened to be. The latest letter had been the last that broke the camel's back.

"I know Malfoy, trust me, I know. My son made sure to let me know what a poor excuse of a father I am on Christmas. I had hoped it would get better over time, like the rumours back when we were at school. The sad thing is, I don't think the rumours are our only problem. I don't truly believe that it was their idea to change time, or do you?"

It was the first time Harry said it out loud. He hadn't even voiced his concern towards Ginny or Hermione yet. Further it was the reason for the copy of his sons Hogwarts map in front of him. At first he had thought about asking James for the original, but since his son denied to this day to have taken it, it was futile.

Taken by surprise by the sudden change in topic Draco clenched his hands. He knew Potter would try to avoid helping him, but he wouldn't leave this room until he got what he wanted. Still, he had a point.

"I don't know what goes through your son's head, but I know it wasn't Scorpius' idea for sure. Even Granger is concerned."

Yes, Draco was rather sure that Granger would tip the scale in his favour. Harry kept calm and sat back down in his seat, offering the one in front of his desk to Draco, who elegantly sat down, crossed his legs and leaned back, mirroring Harry.

"Hermione? What's that got to do with her?"

"Let me think. Maybe it stranded her in the wrong world, or –" Draco drew out the word "- it got something to do with her losing her daughter? Either way she is concerned about Scorpius. I'm sure you don't want to upset her any more than she already is Potter."

Harry grinded his teeth, but kept silent while he glared at Malfoy. Sometimes he hated that pompous ass even more than normal, but he was right. Something was going on here they knew nothing about and the end of his conversation with Ron earlier that week flashed in his mind.

"Back in October Hermione told me something about a girlfriend. Did Scorpius tell you anything about that?"

Maybe it was really a girl behind this. Harry knew he used every measure possible to impress Cho back in his fifth year.

"The only girl I know about is your daughter. She's a feisty one, isn't she?"

Draco watched Harry lose his cool in the matter of seconds.

"What does my daughter got to do with this?" Harry nearly shouted and jumped up, towering over Draco.

"Oh, I thought you knew. Maybe Mrs. Potter is better informed then. Your daughter proposed a mutual agreement to court each other to my son." Draco let Harry know and didn't change his lazy position on the seat, while his old rival gasped at him. Harry dropped back into his chair and looked at the ceiling for a moment.

"That's somehow scary to think about. Lily is a lot like Ginny, once she has her eyes set on something she doesn't let go easily. I noticed her watching Albus and Scorpius, but I thought it was because she was envious, because between my kids Albus and Lily always had strange but close relationship."

"I think it's very much in your own interest to make sure we get ride of our sons poor reputation and the false rumours."

Now Draco got up and closed the button of his robe, while he nodded at Harry.

"I'll find out what I can about any girls in Albus life and let you know Potter."

Draco left the office with large steps and closed the door silently behind himself. It left Harry with his own thoughts. He dropped his head into his hands and ruffled his hair. What had happened that even Lily, their little peacemaker, saw something good in the young Malfoy, when all he saw himself was a bad influence.

AN: I was in Austria, left my tablet at home and had to much fun to care, so this Chapter is a day late. I hope the new Year started as great for all of you as it did for me. Also: Unbetaed because I also send it to late to my poor beta ;)