a/n-Just for the record, this chapter contains the reaction that inspired this whole story.

Chapter Nine-Draco

When he had first gotten his Hogwarts letter, just about seven years ago now, Scorpius hadn't known much about his family history. True, by that time he had memorized the names on both the Greengrass and the Malfoy family trees back about ten generations each, and he'd seen pictures of both of his parents in their younger days. But Draco and Astoria hadn't wanted their young son exposed to the information that he was, quite frankly, descended from a long line of dark witches and wizards.

They knew, however, that once Scorpius got to school, he would be discriminated against for his last name, as he and all of his fellow students had been born in the years directly following the Second War. And so, shortly after receiving his Hogwarts letter, Draco and Astoria had sat Scorpius down and explained to him the history that went along with all of the names he had memorized.

It had been an eye-opening experience for young Scorpius, who had been shocked to finally learn about his parents' pasts, but it was to be expected, really. And anyway, it only served to strengthen the admiration the young boy was only just beginning to have for his parents. Even at eleven, Scorpius could appreciate what it must have been like for Astoria to embrace her placement in Ravenclaw House and finally go against everything that the Greengrass family believed in, and the things Draco had gone through after the war to clear the Malfoy name and prove that they had changed.

Learning all of this answered so many questions that Scorpius had always been afraid to ask. For example, why his father always got suspicious looks from complete strangers when they were out in public, but also why he had never met his mother's parents (and why she had always firmly stated that he never would if she had anything to say about it). And, while he was on the subject of grandparents, why Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy didn't like going out anywhere, except to visit their son, grandson, and daughter-in-law in the comfort of their London flat.

Knowing all of this, Scorpius went to Hogwarts fully expecting to quite probably never have a single friend. There might be the odd student (ahem Slytherin) who would no doubt attempt to befriend Scorpius because of his family history, but he fully intended to put as much distance as possible between himself and those types of people.

But then he met Albus Potter.

Albus, who practically refused to be known by his last name and simply wanted to be called 'Al.'

Al was the best friend that Scorpius had never even bothered to dream about the possibility of having. Of course, even though they ended up in different houses, it seemed like wherever Al was, his cousin Rose was right there, too. And if there was one person that young Scorpius couldn't stand more than anyone else, it was Rose Weasley.

During his first Christmas home, after Scorpius had finished regaling his parents with tales of his first term at Hogwarts, Draco had remarked that the only thing that made him feel better about his son's friendship with 'the Potter boy' was that Scorpius was less than fond of the Weasley girl.

And it was for this reason that seventeen-year-old Scorpius Malfoy was terrified to tell his father that he was now dating Rose.

It was no secret to both Scorpius and Rose that, in their school days, Draco had not gotten along with Rose's parents and Al's dad in any way, shape, or form. And even now, in adulthood, they all preferred to have nothing do with the other whatsoever.

Things would not be good for Scorpius when Draco found out that his only son was currently dating the daughter of the people he disliked most in the world.

At this thought, Scorpius merely let out a weary sigh and continued to stare resolutely at the plain, white ceiling above his bed.

"Don't tell me you're already bored," An amused voice sounded from the doorway to Scorpius' room. "If this is how you're going to be after barely an hour at home, I think I'll be telling your mum that we're shipping you off to the Manor for the summer, so that we don't have to deal with you being such a teenager."

Scorpius froze at the sound of the familiar voice and slowly turned his head to face the doorway when it stopped. His father was standing there, leaning against the doorframe, smirking slightly at his son.

"No arguments from you, then?" Draco continued, his smirk widening slightly.

"If she won't let me come home from the train station alone, mum most definitely won't be letting me out of her sight for my entire summer break," Scorpius said confidently, in an attempt to block out thoughts of the conversation he would most likely be having with his father very soon now.

Draco shrugged. "You're probably right about that one. Better luck next time, I guess. But speaking of your mum, she sent me to inform you that it's time for dinner now, though I don't see why she couldn't have just hollered it at you from the kitchen like she usually does with me."

Scorpius sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed, before standing up and making his way out of the room. He waited until he had already made it past his father before speaking again.

"It's just because she likes me better than you."

"Ungrateful little…" Scorpius heard his father mutter as quickened his pace upon catching a whiff of the aroma coming from the direction of the kitchen.

"Sit," Astoria commanded her son, pointing at the table, where three places were laid out. "Have you talked to your father yet?"

"I only just found out that he was home," Scorpius said at the same time as Draco walked into the kitchen as said, "Talked to me about what?"

"You planned this, didn't you, mother?" Scorpius narrowed his eyes at the woman who had been claiming for the past seventeen years that she loved him.

"I just wanted to make sure you didn't chicken out," Astoria informed her son airily, taking her seat at the table and beginning to eat. "And I do believe we have already discussed how you are strictly forbidden from referring to me in such a foul manner."

"Malfoys do not 'chicken out,'" Draco informed his wife sternly, though with a certain air of fondness. He turned his attention towards his son, then, serving himself as he spoke. "But what was it that you wanted to talk to me about? You haven't gotten kicked out of school have you?"

"No, dad," Scorpius said with a weary sigh. "I…I have a girlfriend."

Draco paused, his fork in midair, halfway to his mouth, and lifted his head so that he was looking directly at Scorpius now. He slowly lowered it back to his plate and gave his son his undivided attention.

"Do you really?" Draco asked, looking far too interested for Scorpius' comfort.

"Yep," Scorpius said quickly.

"And does she have a name?" Draco questioned.

"Of course she does," Scorpius said.

"Well are you going to tell me who she is?" Draco asked when Scorpius made no attempt to volunteer the information. "Or would you rather first explain why you obviously told your mother first, rather than tell the two of us together?"

"Now, Draco," Astoria admonished her husband, "We all know I'm quite better at noticing things than you are. Why, I've known the entire time that they were dating, and you clearly didn't even have a clue."

"The entire time?" Draco repeated, and now Scorpius couldn't read his father's expression very clearly. "So this isn't a recent development?"

"Er…no, not really," Scorpius said slowly. "We…um, well, we decided not to tell anyone, because…erm…well, we just thought it would be for the best."

Draco just took one last look at his son, before turning hastily to his wife. "Astoria, darling, please tell me…it's not…Pansy's daughter…is it? I really don't know what I'd do if Scorpius ended up marrying her. Pansy and I would be…family."

Astoria frowned sternly at her husband. "I'm sure Pansy's daughter is a perfectly lovely girl. But no, it's not her." She turned back to her son now. "Scorpius, be a dear and put your father out of his misery."

"Fine…" Scorpius said. "Dad, my girlfriend is…Rose."

"Rose?" Draco repeated thoughtfully. "Rose…Rose…I know that name. Rose…" His eyes widened suddenly, and Scorpius knew that his father had figured it out. "Not…Rose Weasley? Al's cousin? Weasel and Granger—ahem, I mean Ron and Hermione Weasley's daughter?"

"Yes," Scorpius flinched preemptively, fearing his father's reaction.

"Do you have any idea how brilliant this is?" Draco exclaimed, suddenly jubilant, standing up as he spoke. "Father will be absolutely furious! I'll send him an owl right away."

"Er…he will?" Scorpius was nothing short of confused at his father's reaction.

"Of course. Old habits die hard and…well, Father never did like the Weasley's very much. Scorpius, I'm very proud of you," Draco smiled fondly at his only son, before clapping him on the shoulder in a fatherly manner and turning around and leaving the room.

"O-kay then…" Scorpius simply stared at the closed door his father had just disappeared behind.

Well, that had definitely gone better than Scorpius had ever imagined it would. Now the only problem would be if, sometime in the future, he and Rose ever got married…unless his father was still deluded enough to think that Scorpius was marrying a Weasley just to make his grandfather angry. Of course, Scorpius never really had understood the ways in which his father's mind worked…

"Dad's lost it," Scorpius stated, and Astoria nodded her agreement.

"It was bound to happen eventually," She said with a shrug. "But all's well that ends well. And you were worried…"

Scorpius merely nodded, still in a bit of a daze. Slowly, he pushed his chair back from the table and stood up, placing his napkin next to his still-full plate.

"Can I be excused, mum? I think…I think I'll go owl Rose, tell her it turns out that she doesn't need to fear for her life as far as dad is concerned."

"Go right ahead dear," Astoria said lightly. "But it'll be your night for dishes."

"'Course, mum, thanks," Scorpius said, already making his way back towards his room and not paying the slightest attention to what she was saying.

Once back in his room, he sat down at his desk and pulled a spare piece of parchment towards himself. After rummaging around in the drawers, he found an old quill and a bottle of ink and slowly and painstakingly wrote out a short message to his girlfriend.

25 June 2023

Dear Rosie,

I've told my parents about us. I'm afraid that my father has gone a bit mad. I'll write you again soon with all of the details once everything gets all sorted out.

See you soon, hopefully.

All my Love,

Scorpius

Nodding to himself, Scorpius rolled the bit of parchment up and walked over to where his owl was perched on her stand, sleeping.

"Hey girl," He said softly, running a finger on her back. She hooted indignantly at him for disturbing her slumber. "I've got a letter for you," He continued, "For Rose. It's been ages since you've seen her."

The tawny owl ignored him and began preening herself. Scorpius quickly persuaded her to take the letter however, once he had acquired an owl treat from his trunk. And moments later he was watching her disappear into the darkening night sky, off to Rose. He wondered if things had ended up being as interesting for her as they had been for him…