Scorpius looked up wide eyes. The famous wizard looked right back at him. Harry was standing, holding a cup in one hand. He was running his other hand through his hair and looking quite embarrassed. He cleared his throat again.

"Sorry to interrupt. I…didn't realize anyone else was going to stop in tonight..." He didn't seem to know what to do. Scorpius followed Harry's gaze and blushed. He was still holding Lily's hand. He quickly dropped it and put his hands in his lap.

"I didn't realize anyone else was still here." Scorpius looked down. He knew he sounded defensive, but Lily's dad had just heard everything he had said to her. It was so embarrassing.

Scorpius heard a small sigh and a whispered, "Remember what Ginny said, try and be understanding." Scorpius wasn't sure if Harry had really spoken or if he had imagined the words. Either way, this could end up being a really long conversation. Never the one to be a coward, Scorpius looked up to meet Harry's green eyes.

It was the first time he had really seen the war hero up close. Sure, he had seen new articles, and read books about the wizard, but he had never sat to study the pictures. His dad had gone to school with the famous Harry Potter and had told Scorpius to watch out for the kids. 'If they are anything like their father, they will be little, spoiled, attention grabbers.'

His father did not talk much about his school years, or anything about the war, but he was always irritated when he saw Harry Potters picture in the paper. But now Scorpius had sat and talked with all the Potter kids, and they seemed so…normal. It was hard to go against everything he had been taught, but he was starting to learn that maybe his father's way was not the only way.

He studied Harry closely. The older man was starting to go grey at the temples. His hair was an untidy mess. The glasses he wore were simple, round spectacles, not something you would expect on the most famous person of the wizarding world. Even in the dimly lit room, Scorpius could see small scars up and down Harry's arms. Harry followed Scorpius' gaze.

"Occupational hazard." Harry grinned, and it reminded Scor of Lily's smile. This must be where she got it. "So, I think I already know who you are. You're Draco's son, Scorpius, right?"

Scorpius nodded and took the hand that Harry held out to him. "Yes, sir. You went to school with my dad."

Harry laughed, "Yeah, but don't hold what he said against me. We weren't the greatest of friends." Harry glanced at Lily. He muttered under his breath, "Muffliato" and Scorpius wondered what would happen to him.

It must have shown on his face because Harry remarked, "It's just to keep us from disturbing Lily. I want her to wake on her own, not because someone is talking around her. She had a pretty nasty bump."

Harry set down his cup and tapped it. Next to his cup appeared another. Both were steaming. Harry picked one up and offered it to Scorpius. Scorpius took the cup in both hands, not really sure what it was. Again, Harry seemed to read his mind, "Its spiced cider. It will warm you up pretty quickly."

Scorpius took a sip and felt warmth infuse his bones. He felt muscles relax and he was able to smile faintly at Harry. "Thank you sir." They were quiet for a few minutes before Scorpius felt the need for conversation.

"So, um, is Lily's mum still here?" He was looking for anything to talk about, besides the fact that Harry had caught a third year holding his little girls hand that is.

"No. She went on to let the rest of the clan know that Lily is OK. We decided someone should be here when she woke up. She may have seen something to tell us who did it."

Scorpius caught a glimpse of a very dangerous glint in Harry's eyes. No wonder he was such a good auror. Anyone who dared to stand up to that look would be either very brave, or very stupid. Scorpius felt the need to reassure the father.

"I asked around a little in my house sir. My friends hadn't heard anything a few hours ago, but two of them are pretty good at overhearing things they shouldn't…" the thought trailed off.

"Thank you for that. So, if I may ask when did a Malfoy start befriending a Potter?" So they had finally made it to the main conversation. Scorpius had known Harry would ask, a person who had been trained to be as observant as an auror would have been bound to notice the blond hair waiting in a sea of black and red. Scorpius looked at Lily and began the tale.

"Well, it was the other way around actually. A Potter tried to befriend a Malfoy."

Harry chuckled, "Doesn't surprise me, Lily was always one to go up to meet new people. She is wonderful at reading people too. If she tells me someone is acting untrustworthy, I look at them a little closer. She just seems to know."

By now, Harry was looking down at his daughter. "I didn't expect the Potters to be like this you know." When Harry looked over at him, Scorpius realized he had spoken out loud. His eyes grew wide and he waited for Harry to give him a death glare, but none came. In fact, Harry laughed.

"I get that a lot. Everyone assumes that because I'm 'famous' that we all walk around with giant heads and inflated egos. We really are a regular family, but I do try to keep them out of the spotlight if I can help it. Now, back to this story you were going to tell me."

Again the father had brought the topic back around. He was good, Scorpius had to admit. He kept bringing the topic around to the two kids. Scorpius shook his head in resignation and he began to tell the tale.

"Well, it started on the train…"

It took about twenty minutes to go through the tale. Harry laughed a number of times, and Scorpius was feeling more at ease. Harry smiled at Scorpius. "That sounds exactly like Lily. So now, I need to tell you some things."

Uh oh, what now? Scorpius looked at Harry, feeling a little tense.

"First, as an understanding father, I want you to know I have never stood in the way of my children and their friends. I feel they are smart enough to pick their friends, so even though your father and I did not get along, I see no reason why you and my daughter cannot get along. It says a lot about you that you waited in a room surrounded by her very worried family. That cannot be an easy thing. We tend to be a little overwhelming." With this Harry smiled.

"I also think it took a lot to apologize to her, and to admit you wanted to spend time with her. If you can live up to that, you will make a wonderful friend that will stand by her for many years. Now, as the concerned Dad…" With this, Harry grew stern again.

"This is my baby girl. I will always be protective of her. If I find out that you treat her with anything other than respect, you will wish you were never born. I imagine that you will be approached by both her brothers. They will trust Lily's judgment but I want you to know, you have not yet earned our trust. It is not something easily given, but once earned, it is very hard to break."

With that, Harry leaned back in his chair. Scorpius looked at him. "I will try sir. Please know, all I want is a friend like Lily."

Before more could be said, they heard voices coming. Harry muttered, and the spell he placed around them earlier lifted. Through the doors came Blain and Albus. Harry stood up and walked to the boys smiling. "Good to see you Blain. How has your year gone?"

"Pretty well sir. When are you coming to Hogwarts to give a guest presentation this year?"

"Not for awhile yet, but I will be here to see the first quidditch match in a few weeks. I was very proud of Lily when she made it on the team."

"Like father like daughter."

Scorpius listened to the exchange with interest. Blain was talking to Harry without any trace of awe or adoration. He was talking to him as a father of his friend. Maybe Harry had been right, and his father had been wrong. Maybe the Potters really weren't attention seekers.

The thought got no further because just then, Lily began to stir.