Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling.
Chapter 3: A Meeting with Malfoy
Harry was reading over the latest report on an international drug smuggling operation when he heard Terry Boot outside his office. "What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Terry snarled.
"Potter requested my illustrious presence," Malfoy snapped back.
Harry absently rubbed his scar as he stood. He opened his office door and asked, "Auror Boot, have you completed the report on the Johnson case yet?"
"Nearly, sir."
"Then I suggest you finish it. Mr Malfoy, please come in."
Malfoy obeyed and sat in the indicated seat. "Such pleasant staff you have, Potter."
"They are good at what they do," Harry answered. "Your wife chose not to accompany you?"
"There have been ... complications."
"What sort of complications?"
Draco reached into his robe and pulled out a letter. "My wife received this after I left home yesterday. She showed it to me the moment I returned from King's Cross. She begged me not to show it to you and is very angry that I took it anyway."
Harry took the letter and opened it. It read:
Dear Mr and Mrs Malfoy, Greetings and congratulations on raising such a fine son. He is a beautiful boy and will suit our needs perfectly. Of course, if you wish to see him alive again, you will not go to King's Cross today and you will not report his absence to the aurors. I trust you understand the need for utmost secrecy. Good day.
There was no signature at the bottom and no sign at all as to who had sent the letter. "You went to King's Cross; have you received any messages in response?"
"No, but my wife is terrified. She wants to obey and told me to make up a story about Scorpius visiting her family in Belgium immediately after leaving Hogwarts. According to her, I forgot about the arrangements and went to collect him anyway."
"Your wife was absent yesterday because of the letter?"
"I believe so, but she's been quiet and moody since before that letter arrived."
Harry reread the letter, then turned to Malfoy. "If they confront you about my involvement, Albus told me first that Scorpius was missing and I spoke with you about him before you saw the letter. Right now, that's the best I can do. Aurors are in Hogsmeade today searching for leads and a sketch artist is meeting with the only witness we have right now, but I do not expect to hear back from any of them before tomorrow morning. In the meantime, lie low, contact me if they send you another letter - and get a description of the owl - and try to think of anyone who might be behind this."
Draco pulled another parchment from his robes. "I did, last night. I've tried to group them by where I know them from and why they might want to hurt me. If I think of more, I will inform you later. When should I return?"
"Either when you can provide more information or when I feel further need to speak with you. If you are here anyway and wish to check in, though, feel free."
Draco nodded and stood to leave. "I'm trusting you with my son's life, Potter."
"I know, Draco. I don't plan to let you down."
~O~
16 June 2018
I miss you so much. I miss writing to each other by wandlight and passing messages in class. I think I miss your voice most, your sense of humor and the silly drawl that you got from your dad.
I miss exploring the castle together and playing pranks on James and his nasty friends. I miss sneaking to the kitchens with you for food and raiding Hagrid's garden and playing exploding snap in the common room while listening to the older boys try to impress the girls, then imitating them when we are alone.
I miss swimming in the lake and Charms class and any class really, as long as we were working together. I even miss the detention when we had to clean the trophy room and spent most of the time searching for our relatives' names; I remember how smug you looked when you found my dad's name before I did.
It's only been two days, but I miss you terribly.
Your best friend, Albus
Author's Note: How do I reply to reviews? I thought there was a button years ago, but the site's changed since then.