Scorpius had overlooked one large problem in his moment of rebellion: Potter cottage had multiple fireplaces meaning that he could pop out of any fireplace in the house. He sincerely hoped that the one he ended up in would not be in Harry Potter's bedroom. That wouldn't help with the tension. He fell out of the fireplace in a cloud of soot onto a cream carpet. Oh dear.

"What the? Scorpius?"

Lily was sat on her bed crying. She was holding something in her hands. It was the picture from the article. There was a knock at the door.

"Lily I don't want to interrupt sweetie but the alarm has just gone off. There may be someone in your room."

Oh no thought Scorpius I forgot about the security. Lily was still staring as Scorpius who was sprawled on the carpet. Harry Potter entered the room slowly wand raised and froze when he saw the small blonde boy.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY DAUGHTER'S ROOM?!"

His wife and pretty much the rest of her family scurried up the stairs. A jet of light shot from Harry's wand and missed Scorpius by inches. He squealed and scrambled upright.

"Erm...I...I...I'm not entirely sure."

Lily was still sitting on the bed. It seemed no one had noticed that she was actually there. She took in her father's angry expression and placed herself between him and Scorpius.

"Dad don't kill Scorpius."

Scorpius gulped loudly. Harry lowered his wand slightly.

"Would you care to explain what you are doing in my house, in my daughter's room, the week before Christmas?"

Right. Why was he there again? Oh yes.

"Grandfather wasn't too fond of this morning's news. He said that, now these are his words not mine, that I had 'disgraced the Malfoy name' ,not that that's difficult, and that if I didn't stop contacting Lily he would write me out of his will and....what was the other one? Oh yes he would disown he as his grandson."

They were all staring at him and he blushed. Harry spoke next.

"So why are you here again?"

"Isn't it obvious dad? He's here to say bye."

Scorpius shook his head furiously at his best friend.

"No I'm not don't you dare think that! I'm not that harsh! I kind of...well I guess I ran away."

Lily hugged him tightly knocking him off balance. They fell to the floor with a thud.

"Erm...Lils? I'm covered in soot."

She blushed at stood up. Harry helped Scorpius up.

"So what are you planning on doing then?"

"Well to be honest it was sort of a spur of the moment kind of thing. I'm not entirely sure."

Ginny Potter was eyeing the black patch on Lily's carpet.

"Well first of all you need to clean up. Albus!"

Albus ran up the stairs. He had been playing in the kitchen after uncle Ron had warned him that things might get ugly.

"Yes mum? Oh hi Scorpius. Why are you covered in soot?"

"Scorpius just fell out of that fireplace" Ginny gestured to the patch of soot. "Do you think you could lend him some clean clothes Al?"

Albus nodded and towed Scorpius out of the room. Ginny cleaned the carpet and told Lily to shower as she was also covered in soot. They all headed downstairs. Ron and Harry sat at the table and Ginny sent to children outside.

"Well I think we can safely say that Scorpius Malfoy is here to stay, at least for a while."

Ron winced slightly and a now very clean Scorpius walked downstairs behind Albus.

"I really am sorry for barging in like this Mr. Potter."

Harry smiled slightly at the boy. He was a nice child once you looked past his extremely Draco-like appearance. Very polite.

"Not a problem. We do need to get you home at some point though eh?"

Scorpius paled and the phone rang. Harry walked over slowly. Only a few houses had access to that number.

"Hello? Harry Potter speaking."

Astoria Malfoy's voice crackled down the wire.

"Hello Mr. Potter. I am sorry to interrupt but I believe my son may be at your house."

"Yes that's correct he just fell out of the fireplace in my daughter's bedroom. Would you like a word?"

"Yes please."

Harry turned away from the phone.

"Scorpius it's your mother."

The boy held out a shaking hand and took the receiver.

"Hello? Yes mother I know. How angry? Blew it up blimey. Not a chance. Is he there? Not really. Alright then. What's that? Oh okay then. Mr. Potter she wants to talk to you again."

Harry took the phone back.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Potter I'm not quite sure how to say this but would it be okay if Scorpius stayed there for a while? Draco is trying to speak to his father but it may take a while for him to calm down."

"Could I discuss this with my wife? It won't take long."

"Of course."

He pressed the receiver to his chest and turned around.

"Ginny could he stay here for a bit. Lucius isn't really up for a reunion yet."

She smiled down at Scorpius who was looking between them anxiously.

"Of course. Why don't you invite his parents for Christmas?"

"But.."

"No buts Harry."

"Yes Ginny."

He picked up the phone again.

"Hello?"

"Hello Mr. Potter."

"My wife and I would love for Scorpius to stay for a while. Would you and Draco like to come over Christmas eve? We have plenty of spare beds and you could stay for the next day?"

"Oh it is lovely that you two are trying to fix this. I'll ask Draco. Draco!"

There was mumbling in the background. Harry picked up the phrases 'seriously?' and 'yes dear I know' before she picked it up again.

"We would love to. Are you sure it wont be too much trouble?"

Well Draco seemed to have picked a very nice wife.

"No trouble at all. What time would you like to come around?"

"How does noon sound?"

"Perfect. We'll be seeing you then."

"Goodbye Mr. Potter."

"Please call me Harry. Goodbye Astoria."

They hung up. Harry turned to his family, most of which were standing with their jaws slack.

"Scorpius your parents will be coming over on Christmas eve. Ron Astoria is extremely happy that we are trying to make amends so please don't insult Scorpius' father okay?"

Ron nodded and closed his jaw. Scorpius was grinning.

"Really? Wow can I tell Lily?"

"Tell me what?"

Lily was now soot free and walking down the stairs.

"I'm staying here! Mum and dad are coming for Christmas!"

Lily stared at him.

"Seriously? Wow that's going to be interesting. Hey where will you sleep anyway?"

Albus was jumping up and down.

"He can share my room!"

James walked in.

"Who can? Why on earth is he here?!"

"James calm down Scorpius is a guest."

"But he's a Malfoy! Did you read the paper this morning? They've been snogging!"

Scorpius and Lily blushed. Harry looked between them and Ron spoke.

"So it's true then?"

Lily started.

"It was only one kiss and it was because he won a chess game we haven't been snogging."

Harry sat down. This was confusing. And to be honest very tiring.

"Scorpius are you okay sharing with Al?"

Scorpius nodded.

"Well then why don't you four go and play?"

Lily jumped up and down excitedly.

"Yes! Come on I'll show you my new broom!"

She ran out followed by Al. James turned to Scorpius.

"All right then but mate if anything happens I'll break your nose."

"James!"

"Sorry mum. Okay then I'll just bruise it slightly."

Ron laughed but Scorpius' hand shot up to protect his nose. He squeaked in reply.

"Shall we go out?"

And they left the room. Harry Let his head drop onto the table with a small bang. Ron laughed.

"Three cheers to fatherhood eh?"