Draco was reading the Daily Prophet, lying on his very comfy sofa when he heard a knock on the door. His head snapped up and he sighed, guessing it would be Melissa who was finding any reason to drop in on him. Melissa had been flirting endlessly with him since they went for dinner. Draco shouldn't have been so naive to think it was just a friendly dinner. He didn't know how to let her done easily yet.

Draco had been at the reserve for a month now and he was loving it. He got to know a few more people and seemed to have formed a small group of friends. There was Danielle, the breeder was a sweet woman who actually reminded him of that Ravenclaw, Cho Chang, Potter had dated back in Hogwarts. There was Fabian, who was Charlie's partner for patrol. He was a funny boy, only in his twenties who could be a little bit stupid and was susceptible to teasing. It was just too easy. Especially from both him and Charlie who bounced off each other.

Then there was Charlie. Charlie who Draco was completely besotted with after only a month of knowing him. Charlie who was oh so gorgeous, but also very funny and clever and gentle. He was cheeky, but caring. He was adventurous, but comforting. Draco couldn't stop thinking about Charlie. And the better friends they become, the more his feelings and desire grew.

He knew he was fucked.

First of all, Charlie seemed to be a womaniser. He never asked anybody about it, but he saw Charlie flirt relentlessly with multiple women. He didn't like men, it was useless. But more importantly, Draco would never be able to act on it. He had a son and he could just imagine the reaction of the wizarding world. He would be humiliated. Draco was a proud person. He always had been. He couldn't stand the thought of anything destroying that.

So, he would just have to forget this little infatuation. Charlie had to be just a friend.

Draco opened the door and was immediately enveloped in a hug. His eyes widened when he saw a smiling Albus Potter standing a few steps behind him. Draco hugged Scorpius back. Scorpius had always been an affectionate person, even as a child. He and Draco were very similar in a lot of ways, being tactile was not one of them.

"Hello Scorpius," Draco said as they separated.

"It's good to see you," Scorpius said with that bright smile of his.

"You too."

"Hello Albus, how are you?" Draco offered a hand for the Potter who shook it.

"I'm fine, Mr Malfoy. How are you?"

"Good thank you. Come in."

Draco fetched drinks and couldn't help but smile. He was happy Scorpius was here.

They all sat down at the table and Scorpius immediately asked how the job was going.

"It's very good thank you. I'm in the lab most of the time but the reserve is brilliant. It's beautiful and exciting, you're going to enjoy it, both of you. Especially you, Albus."

Albus grinned, looking at his boyfriend, "I'm really excited. I went to a meeting with the head of the reserve today, Charlie was there too. I'm going to be working with the breeders mainly, they said you need a lot of training to be a tamer."

"Yes, Charlie told me," Draco said casually, "The breeding centre is probably the best part. You'll enjoy working there."

Albus and Scorpius exchanged a glance.

Later on that day, Scorpius and Albus lay together on the sofa in their new home. Albus was telling Scorpius about what he would get to do on his first day.

Scorpius listened, but he couldn't help but think about what he would be doing all day long while Albus was off at the reserve. Yes, he would be painting and building a portfolio, but Scorpius found himself excited to go to New York. It was a year away, but the excitement of the city was something he found himself craving.

"Did you not think it's strange that your dad is such good friends with Uncle Charlie?" Albus suddenly said.

Scorpius snapped out of his thoughts and furrowed his eyebrows, "Surprising, but not strange."

"It's just, your dad doesn't really get on with most of my family. I don't know why Uncle Charlie is different."

"Perhaps my father is finally giving the Weasleys and Potters a chance. I never really understood why he is still so opposed to your family after all these years. He is a stubborn man, but he's let go of so many other things, I don't understand why he couldn't let go of that bitterness."

Albus ran his hand over Scorpius' hip, "Maybe that bitterness was harder to let go than the other things. He let go of all that family stuff for you, right? The pureblood ideals, all that crap. And maybe… he's beginning to let go of that dislike for my family… for you as well."

Scorpius stayed silent for a moment, realising how much Albus' words made sense, "Maybe."

"Anyway," Albus propped himself up on an elbow, smiling at Scorpius. Scorpius couldn't help but smile back, "What are you going to do tomorrow?"

"I'll probably go into the town. Have a look around, ask about jobs. I want to see my dad at work, of course."

Albus kissed Scorpius' neck, "I'm worried you're going to be bored here."

"No, I won't. I've got you here. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," Scorpius smiled.

The next day, Scorpius found himself outside the potions laboratory. Albus had left early that morning to begin working, Scorpius hadn't seen him all day. He knocked loudly before hearing his father's voice telling him to come in.

He opened the door and admired the large laboratory. His father sat at a desk and it looked like he was reading. A cauldron sat in front of him, Scorpius recognised that it was brewing. His father didn't look up from his work.

"Father?"

Draco finally looked up and smiled at his son, "Hello Scorpius, come and sit down."

"This place is great. Do you have this laboratory all to yourself?"

"Yes, it's good isn't it?"

"Great! You've done well with it."

"What did you do today?"

Scorpius made himself comfortable, resting his chin on his hand, "I went exploring. I went into the town and went into a bookshop. They had a job going, just a behind the counter thing. I'm going to start on Monday."

"That's great, Scorpius," Draco was secretly thankful that Scorpius was actually so motivated to do something here, "Is it a nice place?"

"Yeah, very quiet and relaxing. The people were nice there too," the younger Malfoy tilted his head and Draco recognised that dreamy look on Scorpius' face which usually meant trouble for Draco as a father, "Where on the reserve would be good to paint? The scenery is stunning, I might start my portfolio tomorrow."

"You're not going on the reserve on your own," Draco said with a strict tone, "It's too dangerous."

"It can't be that bad. I'll bring Albus anyway."

"Albus is not a tamer yet. If you want to go to the reserve, you have to go with a tamer. I'm sure Charlie will take you."

"I think you're making it a bigger deal than it needs to be."

"Scorpius, I've made three cauldrons of burn potions since I've been here. People get hurt all the time here. You are not to go on the reserve without Charlie."

Just as Scorpius was about to argue back, Fabian rushed through the door, his cheeks flushed and panting.

"Draco, do you have any burn potion? The healers said they meant to pick some up," Fabian said in a rush.

Draco glanced around and spotted the box of burn potions near the door. He frowned; the healers were supposed to pick the box up yesterday, "It's just there. Is everything alright?"

"Charlie got quite badly burnt just now. The dragon we were tracking came out of nowhere when we were flying and caught his arm," Fabian picked up the box and was about to leave.

"I'll come with you, I need to have a word with the healers."

Scorpius followed his father out of the room confused. He watched his father storming down the corridor. His eyebrows were furrowed and he looked furious.

"See, even someone who's worked here for over twenty years can still get hurt. Don't you dare go on the reserve on your own," Draco said harshly, not even looking back at his son.

Scorpius sighed and decided to let it go.

They arrived at the hospital wing and Draco saw Charlie sitting on the bed, his shirt off and a large red patch on his shoulder. Draco immediately ran up to him.

"Bloody hell- I mean," Draco stopped himself from swearing, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Charlie chuckled, "It's nothing I haven't dealt with before."

Draco took one of the potions out of the box, which Fabian was still holding. He grabbed a towel and began to dab the potion on Charlie's shoulder. Charlie winced but watched Draco stroke the towel over his skin. Scorpius pursed his lips, confused by what he was seeing.

Charlie caught Draco's eye and smiled, "Thank you."

Draco returned the smile, then suddenly looked up and his face dropped back into a scowl, "You," Charlie and Scorpius followed Draco's gaze where a healer stopped in his tracks, "As far as I know, it is not part of my job to deliver potions to the hospital wing. The burn potions were supposed to be picked up yesterday. If you all weren't acting so incompetently this man wouldn't have had to sit here in pain while someone else had to do your job. You'll be lucky if I don't go to Cassie about this."

The man looked scared beyond his wits and spluttered, "I-I'm really sorry Mr Malfoy. It won't happen again."

"Make sure of that."

The healer rushed away and Charlie, Fabian and Scorpius stood there, mouths hanging open. Scorpius didn't think he had ever seen his dad so assertive and harsh.

Suddenly Charlie began laughing, "You have no trouble putting people in their place, do you?"

Draco smirked at Charlie, "Not when they deserve it."

Scorpius coughed and got his father and Charlie's attention, "I hope you're okay Charlie, but I should get back. Albus will be finishing soon. We wondered if you both wanted to come for dinner tomorrow evening?"

"That would be great," Charlie said.

"Of course, Scorpius," Draco smiled softly, "I'm sorry I didn't get to see you for long."

"It is okay. I understand."

"Congratulations on the job."

Scorpius grinned, "Thanks, father."

When Scorpius left, Fabian also did a few minutes later. By then, Draco was sitting on the bed next to Charlie, applying more of the potion.

"I didn't know you cared enough to come down here yourself," Charlie teased.

"Shut it," Draco said with his lips slightly upturned, "I wouldn't have had to if it wasn't for the incompetent staff."

"I like it when you're protective, dragon."

"Shut it!"

~x~

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post this chapter! With Christmas and everything I've just forgotten! Thank you JDTEA and GingerHannah for reviewing as always! I hope this slightly longer chapter makes up for it!