Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Chapter 2: Found

Hermione Granger was again, staying late at work to complete some of her paperwork for the Auror Department. Her best (girl) friend, Ginny Potter, and her spouse, Harry Potter, both agreed that she worked too much. Hermione always shrugged off the remark with an "it keeps me occupied." Ever since Ron and she had split on amicable terms, she hadn't gone out much. Even with Ginny's persistent insisting, she only went out at most once a month. Finally, Ginny had just given up when she had given birth to Lily, saying that "three kids definitely kept her busy." Hermione often came over to help with the kids; she always had a fondness for them, and she was always welcome at the Burrow for the bi-monthly family dinner.

After placing the completed paperwork for the Goyle Sr. case in Harry Potter's file, Hermione walked into the golden Atrium, her heels clacking on the floor. The lights were turned dim, as almost everyone else had left. As she was walking towards the Ministry fireplace, she heard it. A soft whimper and then, a sniff. Puzzled, she turned towards the source of the noise.

At the base of the golden fountain, she spotted the noise-maker. A small, blond boy, probably about 6 or 7 years of age, sat hunched over, with a rucksack at his feet. Quietly and curiously, she walked over, cautiously placing her hand on the boy's shoulder. His head popped up and he looked around fearfully, before registering the pretty, brown-haired woman's presence.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked. "Oh dear, that's a silly question. Are you lost?"

Scorpius shook his head no.

"Where are your parents?"

Scorpius kept his mouth shut determinedly.

"Oh, so you don't want to tell me?" Hermione let out a laugh. Scorpius liked the sound. It was full and true, unlike his mum's high-pitched, tinkle-like giggle. "Well, you can't very well stay here. Come on, you look tired. Why don't you come home with me and get a good night's sleep? We can deal with this…situation… tomorrow. How does that sound?"

Scorpius looked up at the kind woman and smiled weakly. He nodded his head and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet and led to the fireplace. She pulled the silent boy in with her, his rucksack and her briefcase on her shoulder. After exiting the bathrooms, she walked home, the boy following close behind. As they walked, she turned to him.

"So, what's your name?" Hermione asked curiously. "I'm Hermione Granger, but you may call me Miss Mione or Miss Hermione if you'd like."

Scorpius cleared his throat and softly said, "OK, Miss Mione. I… don't care what you call me. I'd rather not tell you my name…"

Hermione tilted her head quizzically. "Alright then…" They walked the rest of the way in silence. Scorpius' eyelids had begun to droop when Hermione announced with a flourish, "Well, here it is! Home sweet home!"

At this, Scorpius grinned happily, if not a bit tiredly, and followed Hermione into her spacious flat. Walking to the back of the flat, she opened a second door and led Scorpius into the guest bedroom, and cleared the room of dust with a quick Scourgify. She pulled down the covers and placed his duffel at the foot of the bed and left Scorpius to change into his pajamas.

A while later, after Hermione had showered and changed into a white nightgown and robe set, she crossed the hall and opened the door carefully, peeking her head in. She saw the little boy with his eyes closed, sleeping peacefully with his platinum blond hair mussed. He looks like an angel, she thought. Walking in, she tucked the blankets securely around him and turned off the lights as she exited. After casting all the precautionary spells, she walked into her bedroom and turned off the lights. Her last thought was Angelo… just like an angel. She drifted into sleep with a smile on her face.

Her alarm rang, loud and clear. She rolled over and frowned at the time. 6:30. Normally, she was okay with waking at this time, but because she didn't want to apparate with the young boy, Angelo, she thought, it took much longer. She crawled out of bed and walked out to start the coffee when Angelo walked out. He blinked, still in the midst of waking up.

"Are you leaving already? I don't want you to go…" Hermione looked up, surprised.

"Well, I do have work—"

"Please? Can't you stay for a day or something? I don't want to be alone…" His eyes were big and full of emotion, his brows wrinkled with worry. Hermione melted at the sight.

"Alright… Let me call in and let them know I'm taking a day off. Merlin knows I deserve it." Five minutes later, Hermione was situated at the stove, frying eggs to start the day. The toaster ding!-ed and with a flick of her wand, Hermione sent the perfectly browned bread slices to the two plates on the table. With another flick of her wand, milk was poured out for both her and Angelo, as she had grown fond of calling him. After scooping up scrambled eggs and placing them next to the toast, she turned to Angelo.

"So, would you like sausages or bacon?" Scorpius smiled boyishly.

"Sausages, please!" His mum never let him have any; according to her, they were 'terrible for your health.' The one time that he had snuck a bite in a restaurant, he loved it! Quickly, Hermione set the stove cooking and grilled the sausages. She waved her wand once it finished, and the sausage cut itself into manageable slices and landed on their plates respectively. Scorpius smiled and precisely used his fork and knife to lift the eggs onto the toast and slice it into bite size pieces. Old habits die hard, he thought with a shrug.

Hermione looked at Angelo with a hint of melancholy on her face. If she had stayed with Ron, she might have a beautiful boy of her own… But that was the past, and nothing could change it. Not even a Time-Turner, she thought with a smirk, as she remembered the "Golden Trio's" escapades. Hermione noted that Angelo had impeccably manners. Either he had a stickler of a mother… or he's pureblood. Though you'd think that there would already be a search all over wizarding London if a family had discovered their son to be missing…

And at that moment, Astoria let out a shriek.

"My god, Draco! Scorpius is-is… missing!" Her blatherings were inarticulate, and Draco rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He became wide awake as soon as he realized what Astoria was screaming. "You! It's all your fault!"

"My fault?" he asked dumbly, confused as to why Astoria was glaring at him accusatorily.

"Yes! Your fault! If you had been home more, he wouldn't have felt as neglected and runaway!"

"How do you know that is the reason he ran away?" Draco asked, his temper rising.

"Well, what other logical reason does he have?" Astoria was furious, her hands on her hips, her wand shooting sparks at the tip. However, a slip of paper on Scorpius' desk caught Draco's eye. He gently shoved his wife aside and proceeded to grasp the paper.

"Are you even listening to me?"

"No."

"What-at?" Astoria was shocked to the core. Her husband had never been so blatant about his inattention. "Hey! What's that? Give it to me!"

"It's addressed to me, and I'll tell you what it says if you give me a chance to read it, woman!" Draco's nimble fingers pried open the seal and his eyes scanned the document hurriedly. His voice was quiet as he read aloud, "Father, I've run away. I hate hearing you and Mum argue. I am safe, do not worry. Please sort out you're(here he crossed out the word and corrected it) your problems. I'll come back when I know you have stopped arguing. I don't need you to be home all the time(at this Draco smirked self-satisfactorily at Astoria)because I know you love me. I just need you and Mum to be the loving parents I want, like Mr. and Mrs. Zabini. Love, Scorpius. P.S. Mr. and Mrs. Zabini don't know where I am; don't bother asking."

Astoria and Draco glanced at each other, ashamed.

"Well, we know he's safe, though we don't know where…" Astoria's voice drifted off. Draco eyed the parchment again, and looked up.

"Astoria, which house elf does Scorpius spend the most time with?"

"Either Lira or Dreé… Though I think it'd be Lira. She seems to have taken a liking to the boy."

"Lira!" Draco summoned the house elf.

"Yes Master Draco? What can Lira dos for yous?"

"Where is Scorpius?" asked Draco imperatively. Lira looked down at her hands and wrung her dishcloth dress.

"I said, where is Scorpius?"

"Master Scorpius forbade Lira from telling Master Draco and Mistress Astoria…" Lira said nervously.

"Very well. As Master of the house, I command you to tell me where Scorpius is!" Draco demanded.

"Scorpius told Lira that he went to the Zabini's Villa."

"I see. You are no longer needed. Go back to your work." Lira bowed and with a pop!, apparated away. "We need to visit the Zabinis." Draco said, looking at Astoria pointedly. She nodded her agreement and with a pop!, they both apparated away.

A/N: Tell me what you think!