Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I tried to stick as much as I could to the facts of the Wizarding World and spent quite a bit of time consulting various sources. However, some things are changed to benefit the plot line. Everything about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Seven children ran through the backyard, a lithe blonde with a party hat perched precariously on his head led the pack. A few steps behind, a chubby toddler with white blonde curls chased after, but soon gave up, stomping her foot and collapsing into a heap on the grass. The crying started soon after; then much to her delight, a small boy with hair just a shade darker than hers plopped down next to her and tried to cheer her up.

On the back patio of the Malfoy home, the parents all looked on with amusement. It wasn't rare that little Cassiopeia, Cass for short, was left behind when the older kids started running around and making mischief as many children do. Hermione wasn't surprised when Luna's son, Lorcan who had the sweeter disposition of the twins, was the one to comfort Cass as she threw a tantrum as many three year olds do. Scorpius and the rest of the herd rounded the corner of the yard and made a beeline back to the patio. The adults all knew what they were coming for, and they found it hard to be willing to indulge them in the sweets that their energy levels did not need.

Scorpius squeezed his eyes tightly and he thought long and hard about what he would wish for. An exasperated sigh came from the right of him and he peeked out from under his blonde fringe at Alise Wood, a girl one year his junior with about twice the amount of attitude. It was apparent that she was not one to wait around for anything. In that moment, Scorpius blew out his five candles and beamed proudly that not one was still lit. The parents and children all clapped as Hermione picked out the candles and begun to cut the cake into small pieces for the children. Once everyone was fed and the conversations had lulled to a content silence, the couples started to pack up their children and told them to give one last birthday hug to Scorpius before they all left.

Alise strutted up to Scorpius (as well as a four year old can), looked him straight in the eye and said, "Next year, it's my birthday. And I know exactly what I'm going to wish for." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek and skipped off to grab her mother's hand to Side-Along Apparate. She waved goodbye to Scorpius and disappeared with a pop.

Hermione viewed this exchange with a smile playing on her lips. She glanced over at Oliver to see him staring open mouthed at the spot his daughter had just been standing in. She laughed quietly to herself.

Draco sat down on the edge of Scorpius' bed to tuck him in that night. "So Scorp, did you have a good fifth birthday?"

"Yes." He glanced up at his father and then back at his bedspread. "Father, what happens when your wish doesn't come true?" He asked quietly.

Draco looked at him and said the first thing that came to mind. "Well son, when a wish doesn't come true, it goes up into the sky and joins all the other wishes. That's where all the stars come from."

"But Father, that's a lot of wishes that didn't come true."

"I know Scorp, but sometimes, wishes aren't meant to be and that's why they light up our night sky. Our unanswered wishes give us hope for what will happen later on, and until they come true they light our way in the darkest part of the night." Scorpius looked appeased at that. Draco kissed his son on the forehead and tucked his bedspread up to his chin. "Goodnight, Scorp. I love you."

"Goodnight, Father. Love you too." As soon as his door closed and Scorpius was sure that his parents were in their room, he crawled out of bed to look out his window. He scrutinized the sky looking for any evidence of a new star, and then over to the right he saw a bright star. He knew that that star would be waiting for him, waiting for his wish to come true, but until then he would wait and let it lead him until it was the right time. He climbed back into his bed and drifted off to sleep.