A/N Hello everyone! Here's another chapter for you. I'll be trying to continue a steady flow of chapters from now on. This story is turning out to be rather longer than I had anticipated. So please bear with me and continue to show your support by leaving your valuable reviews. they do help me to keep motivated. Cheers!

Disclaimer: All the original characters of the Harry Potter series are property of J. K. Rowling. I only own the story.

Dear Dad,

Hope you are well. How is mother? I am feeling the pressure of studies now that we are in the third year—

Scorpius raised his quill and reread the sentence. Rubbish. He scrunched the parchment and threw it into the fireplace in disgust. This was his third attempt to write a letter to his dad. One would think it was rather easy to write letters to one's parents. Obviously not. He sighed, running his ink-smeared fingers through his hair. How to broach the subject of a new broom to his parents?

Scorpius had never had a normal father-son relationship with his dad, Draco. In fact, he never knew their relation was so different from others until he had taken a look at other families in their neighbourhood. Other children boasted of how they spent their time with their dads, doing manly things together. Some told stories of their fathers teaching them to ride a broom. Others talked about fishing and long hikes. Scorpius would only listen to them and try to contain the feeling of shock and betrayal that he felt towards his father.

He had always been closer to his mother. Astoria was a wonderful parent no doubt. But all her affections and support had fallen short when it came to fatherly affection and advice. Scorpius had not been able to break through the barrier that Draco had erected to keep him out. Draco was always distant and cold, even when he was present.

And that was the crux of the matter. Scorpius had always had a niggling feeling that his dad was scared of him. Scared of him?! It was absurd to think of. But there it was. And it tormented him to no end. He remembered the day long ago when he had asked his mum about this.

…'Why is he always so distant mum?'

Astoria had blanched at his direct attack. 'I'm sure I don't understand you, Scorpius?'

'You know what I mean very well…'

'He is busy, dear.'

'NO HE ISN'T!'

'Please keep your voice down, sweetheart. Dad would hear you.'

'I want him to hear it.'

Astoria had only wrung her hands and looked miserable.

'Mother, please tell me the truth. Does he hate me?'

'Of course not! What an absurd notion!'

'Is he afraid of me?'

'Why would he be afraid of his own son?' Yet there had been some kind of hesitancy in his mother's voice. But he had wanted answers. So he had ruthlessly ploughed on, 'Why can't he behave like any other father?'

'Not everyone is the same, Scorpius.'

'But…'

Astoria had held out her hand to stop him, 'You are too young to understand, honey. You do not know the horrors that your father had to go through when he was young. But that is not my explanation to give. He will tell you himself when he is ready.'

He had stormed out that day, but not before seeing his father stand stock-still outside the dining hall, his face grim and tormented…

He had never shared this sliver of information with anyone, not even his best friend, Albus. He did not want to either. People would assume his dad was cold and grim by nature as the son of Lucius Malfoy would be. Yet he had seen the love that he had for his mother, tender and sweet. They lived and breathed for each other. His only regret was his dad had never felt the same kind of affection towards his only son.

Releasing the breath he had not realised he was holding, he plopped into one of the cushioned chairs facing the grate and closed his eyes.

'Can I borrow your quill one second?'

Scorpius cracked one eye. James stood fidgeting near the door.

'Feel free.' He closed his eyes again.

He could hear the faint murmur of James as he sat in a corner scratching away at a parchment, probably planning something mischievous. Soon another voice joined his. Henry Finnegan.

'What are you two doing?'

They gave identical devilish grins. 'That's none of your business, Snowy.'

'Of course it is. You just borrowed my quill. And please stop calling me Snowy.'

They guffawed, and walked away.

Yep. Those two were definitely upto something.

Scorpius yawned and gathered his spare parchments and quill. He couldn't complete the Astronomy chart now. It would have to wait for tomorrow. It had been a long day.

The portrait hole swung open. He didn't even have to turn to see Rose climbing in. It was a strange thing, he mused. He could always tell when it was Rose. Funny that.

'Hey!'

'Hey,' he turned, 'Was just retiring for the night.'

'So early?!'

Scorpius stifled another yawn. 'Amelia is a hard task-master,' he said.

'Yeah. That she is.' She went and climbed into a winged back chair.

'Anything bothering you?' he asked, as he put down the parchment and sat near her, cross-legged.

She picked up his quill and stroked it thoughtfully, 'No.'

'Carrots.'

'I'm scared of the match,' she blurted out, 'I couldn't catch the snitch three times out of ten.'

Scorpius rolled his eyes. 'I missed the Quaffle more times than I caught it. So?'

She huffed, 'What if I cannot catch the snitch? What if we lose the match because I couldn't catch it?'

'Calm down Weasley. The match is days away. We have plenty of time to practice.'

'Yeah, but…'

'No buts. If you cannot catch the snitch, the rest of us would try our hardest to score as quickly and as many goals as we can. And I'd try my best to save as many goals as I can. That's a promise. Ok?'

Rose threw her arms around him in a flash, making him blush crimson. 'Thank you thank you thank you!' she chanted.

'Hey! Gerroff!'

'Thank you thank you!'

'Yeah ok. Calm down.'

'Thank you thank you.'

'Carrots!'

'Hmmm?'

'Shut it and help me with the astronomy chart.'

Rose gave a toothy grin. 'Yeah ok. Sorry.'

It was almost midnight before they were finished. Scorpius threw down his quill and stretched on the hearth. 'That's it. I'm done. My head feels like sponge and my eyes
feel like they have been dragged through sand.'

He turned his head when Rose kept quiet. She was looking at a piece of crumpled parchment. Good Lord! It was one of his pathetic attempts to write a letter to his dad. He snatched it and threw it into the fire. He could feel his ears turning a vivid shade of scarlet. He cleared his throat noisily.

'It's late,' he said, without looking at her.

'Yeah. We should get some sleep.'

'Goodnight.'

'Goodnight Malfoy.'

He hurried towards his dormitory.

'And Malfoy…'

He stopped and turned.

'Thanks for the support.'

oooooo

Rose folded her parchment and slid it neatly into the envelope. She missed Grandma Weasley. She remembered being hugged the numerous times she had scarped her knee or been teased by her cousins. Grandma Weasley could always make her feel better with one of her cozy hugs and a cookie or two.

She addressed it to The Burrow in her neat handwriting and set out for the owlery.

The Great Hall was bustling with activity. The teachers were talking amongst themselves, smiling and nodding whenever Headmistress McGonagall joined in. The students drank pumpkin juice and shoveled pieces of toast into their mouth before hurrying off to collect their satchels. Some sat comparing notes while others read out the Daily Prophet loudly to their friends. The morning post must have arrived. Rose increased her pace.

'Hey Rosie!' she looked back at the shout. Albus was making his way to her, a frown marring his face.

'Do you know where Scorp is?'

'No,' she shook her head, puzzled, 'I thought he was with you! Didn't he come down to breakfast?'

'No he didn't!'

Rose frowned. Scorp was behaving rather oddly since she picked up that crumpled letter he was writing to his dad. She had never meant to snoop but how would she know it was a discarded letter? She had meant to tell him that she was happy that he had decided to write to his dad but his reaction had kept her at bay. Since then he had been distant with her, sticking to Al and disappearing before she could catch up with him.

'Have you checked the boys' dorm?'

'I would have, but the password has changed.'

'Oh. It's virtus vincit omnia. Go check there while I send this off to Grandma Weasley,' she said, trotting away. She could hear him asking whether she had asked Grandma about sending more cookies. As if she needed reminding by a letter!

The air outside was nippy and bracing. She took a great inhale and scrambled up the numerous stairs leading to the owlery. Down below stretched the green lawn. A portion of the Great Lake was visible on the right. As she climbed higher and higher she could see the tip of Hagrid's hut. A faint line of smoke curled up from the chimney. Hagrid must be home, she thought. A little farther to the right, she could spy the three gigantic hoops of the Quidditch field. The sight filled her with trepidation. The first match of the season was three days away. Even though she was performing much better than before, Rose could not help feeling slightly nervous. She turned to go and promptly collided with a solid wall of flesh.

'What the—'

'Aauu—'

'Ouch. Watch it!'

They went down in a tangle of limbs. Rose tried her best to maintain her temper and managed to sit up. Spitting out clumps of hair from her mouth, she hissed, 'Can't you watch whe—Malfoy?!'

'Carrots?!'

'What are you doing here?' they asked simultaneously.

'Nothing!' said Scorpius. Rose narrowed her eyes.

'Alright. Alright. I was sending a letter to mum.'

'Oh! That's great! I was going to send this letter to Grandma Weasley.'

They looked at each other. Then they burst out laughing. Scorpius sat up and winced, 'Jeez, Carrots. I think you've managed to bruise me black and blue.'

'What!'

'You have pretty sharp elbows. Use them liberally in the match and we'd have a sure victory.'

'Shut up!' she shoved him, chuckling.

Scorpius got up, dusting his trousers and held out his hand, 'C'mon. Let's get your letter posted.'

Hailey had fluttered down to her parch as soon as she saw her mistress with a letter. She held out her leg patiently as Rose tied the letter properly. Rose stroked her head twice, then launched her into the sky. Together, they watched her silhouette getting smaller and smaller till she disappeared.

'So,' said Rose, as they were climbing down the stairs, 'Did you ask your dad for the new broom?'

Scorpius cleared his voice and looked away uneasily. But Rose was as persistent as a gnat.

'C'mon Scorp. You need to talk to your dad. If not today then some other time.'

'You don't understand.'

'Of course I don't. He is your dad.'

'No,' he said vehemently, 'You don't understand. He doesn't love me.'

Rose gave a rude snort, 'Of course he loves you. Don't be an idiot.'

'How do you know?' he ground out through the lump in his throat. 'How do you explain the fact that he has purposefully stayed away from me and refused to forge any emotional connection with his only son?'

Rose could not form any coherent argument in the face of such agony. She looked on, astonished as a lone tear travelled down his smooth cheek and hung on the balance.

'You do not know my dad. Since I was a little kid my dad never once offered me fatherly advice or affection. He was always formal towards me, like I was somebody else's son. Not his. For Godric's sake, he behaves better with other kids,' he laughed derisively. 'I had done everything possible for a small kid to make him like me more. To just laugh and ruffle my hair and say 'Hey buddy.'… Or smile and tell me I was a good son. I have been on my best behavior. I have struggled to do something that would make him turn to me just once. Did you know what he told me when I was leaving for Hogwarts the first time?' he asked through choked tears. 'He said, 'Keep your head down, don't make any unnecessary enemies and you'll be fine.' That's what he said. No 'I love you son,' or 'I'll miss you too.''

Rose couldn't take it anymore. She threw her arms around him and held him like that. 'I'm so sorry,' she whispered as a peace offering.

And that was the first and last time she saw Scorpius Malfoy weep. She stood hugging him on the stairs of the owlery as he wept away the pain and anger of a kid
neglected by his dad. And that was the first time she did something she had never done before. She kissed Scorpius Malfoy on the cheek as a tiny effort to fill the gaping hole the poor boy had in his life.

ooooooo

To be continued...

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