Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

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Chapter XXVII: Hope

Albus was seated at his favorite chair in the kitchen, directly across from Lily with Knoby to his left preparing breakfast. I wonder where Mum's gone now… thought he as his hands picked up the Daily Prophet, not that he intended to read it, oh no, he was just going to read the Horoscopes by Madame Brown.

Today, however, his attention was caught by the front page article, and as he skimmed over it he wondered wildly about how his father would react. Surely, his mum would be most upset over it- seeing as she had been romantically involved with him.

Scandal Seeps from Malfoy Estate

Early this morning the Prophet was tipped off to a story that you, the reader, just had to know about. It is with a heavy heart that we report that Astoria Malfoy was killed in the early hours of this morning. The only thing more tightly closed than the curtains of the Malfoy estate, are the lips of Draco Malfoy; long time suspected dark wizard, and the alleged murderer of Astoria.

Is this the result of the long and savage divorce battle that has shaken the souls of the three person family, as well as the pocket book? Sadly, we have little to go on, but one thing is sure: the Malfoy's only child has not been seen leaving the house, despite the requirement for him to return to school today.

Hermione Weasley, Head of Magical Law Enforcement, was seen going into the house hours after we arrived, though she refused comment we can safely assume it was to arrest Draco Malfoy.

The house is quiet now, and we are determined to give you the full story. You deserve the truth, and we will be the first to give it to you.

Rita Skeeter- Special Correspondent

Albus finished reading the article just as Knoby came over and closed his open mouth for him. "Mustn't be catching flies now, Master Albus." Knoby said as he returned to cleaning the kitchen up.

The silence built in intensity as Albus thought of the whole affair, he just couldn't believe it. He had seen Draco's arm, there had been no Dark Mark present…had he really been a Dark Wizard after all? Sure, the other children at school had always teased Scorpius about being a Pure-Blood, about having a Dark family- but wasn't that all just childish rivalry?

Albus was worried, and he unconsciously put himself in Scorpius' place- his mother dead, and his father accused of the murder. "Lily," he eyed his sister to make sure he had her attention. "never mind." he said, choosing not to ask her opinion of the whole matter. He would ask Luna what she thought. Luna would be best.

It was not long before Luna, Harry and James rejoined them in the kitchen, and Albus wasted no time with confronting Luna. "Luna," he said, hopping off of the chair and staring at her seriously.

"Yes, Al?" she said, tucking her hair behind her ears before sitting down.

"They said Scorpius' dad murdered his mum. Do you believe it?" Albus decided the direct approach would be best, no dilly dallying.

Luna had the strangest look on her face, and of course, Al thought it could have been due to the nature of his question, or perhaps the way he had phrased it. Maybe a good introduction and lead in would have better suited the inquiry, either way- the question was on the table now.

"Where did you hear such a thing, Albus?" Harry walked over to Luna's side and placed a hand on her shoulder, James and Lily stared at Al.

"The Prophet said so. They said he was a suspected Dark Wizard and said that Scorpius' mum was dead. They said Aunt Hermione came to his place and everything. That Ms. Skeeter woman wrote about it, the one who always tries to Owl you, Dad." Albus said, all very quickly, he didn't like them all looking at him. He knew it was a bad story, he knew he would be getting attention, but this was really unsettling. He had never known a murderer, and he didn't think Draco seemed the type, Draco was a father too after all.

"Let me see the Prophet, dear." Luna said, as Albus reached for the Prophet, and placed it in Luna's outstretched hands. He watched as they all leaned over and read the article, he watched as their faces each reflected a different emotion; shock, amazement, and in the case of his father; hurt.

James was thunderstruck, and he just shook his head over and over as he sat down in the chair Knoby offered him. "No way. I can't believe that. Looks like we're not the only ones' arriving at Hogwarts late today."

"I can't believe a word of it, I simply can't." Luna sat the paper down, looking to Harry for agreement. Her hand found his and Albus smiled a little, he liked seeing them happy.

"I'm not sure," Harry looked away from the Prophet, and his eyes found the floor. "Draco wasn't capable of," he stopped, but Albus so wanted him to continue- it sounded interesting, whatever he was about to say. "No. I don't believe it either, Draco is a changed person."

"I think he's a good person too." Lily said, not altogether catching the meaning of her father's statement. But then again, the mind of a child is free to form ideas of it's own. Albus didn't notice the difference between the two, as he also thought Draco a good person.

"Can we help him, Dad?" James said, making his first remark since sitting down. "I don't like to think that someone who lived with us is capable of that. It's not right. There has to be more to the story too, Skeeter is never really reliable." his eyes were set on his fathers'.

"I think there is a lot more to the story, to be exact." Luna said, standing up. Harry's hand fell down to his side as Luna got up, and Albus watched her avidly. She paraded around the kitchen, hand wrapped around her chin and other hand resting on her hip. Albus thought she looked rather like The Thinker. "Draco is going to need an Attorney."

"Yeah, but I'm sure he can afford one, the Malfoy vault must have plenty of money. We can be there to support him." Harry said, and Albus spoke up.

"If it doesn't, I can give him some of my Sickles, I know it's not much, but every little bit helps, right?"
"Al, shut up." James said, rolling his eyes at his little brother.

"Hey that's not nice! I'm only trying to be helpful!" Al felt hurt, and glared at James, James and his stupid face. "You're just upset cuz I've still got some money, and I didn't blow it all on those pictures of the seventh years!" Albus declared, knowing this would embarrass his brother beyond belief.

As Albus watched his father's expression change from concern to all out shock, James' cheeks' turned red as a beet, and Albus clutched his stomach, holding in his laughter.

Albus could see that his dad was just about to comment on the pictures, he hoped that it would end up in James' getting punished, but he was deprived of his joy by two distractions. The first of which was Lily's. "But Al, I saw you looking at that picture of the Holy Head Harpies Keeper a few days ago, and your pants…" Albus looked around the room and was relieved to see that Lily's voice didn't carry that well, his fantasy was safe ; for the moment. Lily's voice was drowned out by Luna's voice, which carried much better and reached Albus' ears like a birdsong.

"I'm going to represent Draco." Luna said, plain as could be as Harry's words caught in his throat.

The room fell silent, even Knoby ceased cleaning to look up admiringly at the blonde. Lily's smile was widest as she hopped off her chair to hug Luna around her waist.

"Cool." James said, and all embarrassment disappeared.

Albus sat there, upset that James would not be getting into trouble for possessing naked pictures of Hecate Bell and Melody Locke, but he found that he had the coolest step-mom a kid could ask for. Though, she wasn't exactly his step-mom yet, but a boy could hope, couldn't he?

AN: On a note, my laptop has lost all sources of power and I'm in desperate need of a new source. So if I don't update regularly next week I apologize. I will put forth every effort to regain internet access as quickly as possible, but just so you know, that's where I am. Reviews loved, you guys didn't like ole Draco's part very much, now didja? : P

Love , TowerMage