Day Four

Much to the 'parents' relief, they were excused from looking after the babies during lesson time. Draco found himself almost looking forward to Herbology on Monday morning, although he did notice that Pansy seemed a little reluctant to hand their sack over.

He cornered her on the way outside.

"Feeling a little broody, Parkinson?"

Pansy arched an eyebrow at him, "I don't know what you mean, Draco." She replied steadily.

"Hmm," Draco folded his arms, "What I mean is that you're acting rather..." he shuddered at the word, "Girly."

"Well Draco, I am a girl, in case you hadn't already realised," Pansy retorted, "Or did you think you've been snogging a boy for the last month?"

"What was it you said to Millicent?" he tapped his chin, "'It's so cute, it's like looking after a real baby!'"

Pansy's cheeks coloured. "Yeah, well it is, isn't it?"

"Pansy, it's a sack of flour."

"It's a sack of flour that cries, eats, and needs its nappy changing. You know he has fingers and toes now?"

"Ooh, a sack of flour with fingers and toes," Draco made exaggerated hand movements and rolled his eyes, "And don't refer to it as a he, that's just creepy."

"It is a he, Draco, if you took your turn changing his nappy you'd soon realise that."

"Quiet at the back," Professor Sprout called as the lesson began.

Draco picked up their argument again as they started on the class work; potting several strange looking plants that he didn't know the name of because he wasn't paying attention.

"If it's going to be a he, we might as well find it a name."

Pansy pursed her lips as the small green shoot squirmed in her grasp.

"Daphne and Blaise named theirs. Daisy, I think."

"Daisy?" Draco snorted, "That's common. If we're naming it, it'll at least have a decent Malfoy name."

"A decent Malfoy name?" Pansy paused in her work to pull a face at her partner, "It better be a nice name. I don't want to be carting around a sack called Druella."

"I thought you said it was a boy?"

"Even less reason to call it Druella then, isn't there?"

"Haha," Draco rolled his eyes, "You're so funny."

"Thank you," Pansy mock-bowed, "I'll be here all-"

But Draco never got to find out how long Pansy would be there for, as the moment she let go of the plant, it squirted ink in their faces and proceeded to tear across the classroom.

Pansy watched as the sack's small fingers grasped at the bottle, the hole that was its mouth sucking hungrily at the teat. She allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction; despite the little drawback they had earlier, their 'baby' was by far the most baby-like in the whole of Slytherin. If anyone was going to win the prize of no Potions homework it would be them.

"I've got it!"

Her gaze drifted to the doorway where Draco was rushing in. She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sure I would be much more delighted for you if I knew exactly what 'it' was."

"The name." Draco sat down heavily beside her. "I've got a name for it."

"Him," Pansy corrected. Draco waved a hand dismissively.

"I owled father and-"

"You asked your father about naming a sack?"

Draco shrugged, "Naming a Malfoy child is a family emergency, so we always have a list of suitable names handy. Anyway, father sent me the list and I-"

"Draco, remember we can't give it a name that exists in my ancestry either." Pansy cut in. Draco nodded.

"Which is exactly why I checked. It's not in your family. It is completely unique. It is perfect."

"Please not Druella..." Pansy muttered as Draco picked up the small sack. He grinned triumphantly.

"Scorpius."

There was a moment's silence, which was rapidly broken by a snort from Pansy. Draco glowered at her.

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing." She giggled, covering her mouth.

"What is it? There is nothing wrong with the name Scorpius!"

"No, of course there isn't, dear." Pansy fought to keep a straight face, "It's a perfectly wonderful name." She sighed, grinning widely, before dissolving into giggles again.

Draco continued to glare at her until she composed herself. She wiped a tear from her eye.

"Well, I think it's time that little Scorpy went to bed, don't you think Draco?"

"There is nothing wrong with the name Scorpius, Pansy."

"I never said there was."

She picked up the 'baby', crossed the common room and laid him gently in one of the various cots.

"Goodnight, Scorpy," she murmured, smirking at Draco, who folded his arms and pulled a face.

"Honestly, Pansy, what kind of a nickname is Scorpy?"