Chapter Two.
Pacing around his room, Draco had nothing but horrible thoughts running through his mind. The pain had numbed his arm now, but the occasional burn would sting him, leaving his arm to prick with agitation. Flopping onto his king sized bed, he looked up to see the cliché green and silver ceiling. It seemed to glow in the dark, making Draco feel dizzy, but he did not stir. Only until he heard the door creak open did he get up.
"Hey dad…" Scorpius, his son, made his way towards his father. He knew what was going on, though he did not understand it. His father being an ex-deatheater was hard to hide, and everybody at school seemed to know him for it. Though he wasn't as popular as his friends, Rose Weasley and Albus Potter, he still felt the burden of having that reputation.
Draco gave him a smile. They truly looked almost exactly alike, with their sharp features, pale skin and white blonde hair. Those were the only things they had in common. Scorpius was undeniably his mother's son. He had the kind personality that she carried, along with the decreased discrimination that Draco had grown up with. Draco was now a wiser, older man, his thoughts having changed about blood, though he had to admit, it was hard breaking strong habits.
"Hey son, what's up?" he asked, motioning for him to sit down.
"Um…your going to the Potter's right?" Scorpius asked and Draco sighed, hearing the name. He nodded nonetheless.
"Yeah…why?"
"Well…I was wondering if I could come too. You see I'm friends with Albus Potter, and his siblings, and it's a long way until school, so I was just thinking that maybe, if it's not to-"
Draco cut him off with a chuckle. "You're friends with the Potters? Wow…you truly are your mother's son. Well, I don't see any problem with it. I'm sure Potter wouldn't mind either, being the Wonder Boy that he is."
"Dad…" Scorpius flattened his eyes at the sarcasm his dad was using. Draco merely grinned playfully.
"Don't worry…I won't be to horrible to him." He said with a laugh and Scorpius joined in.
"Does this look okay? Is it to casual? Maybe I should wear that new coat I bought yesterday?" Astoria Greengrass looked upon her husband with an exasperated expression. She was in casual muggle wear, a comfy green long sleeve v-neck and jeans. To top it all off, her shiny silver heels shined, completely her outfit perfectly.
"You look fine mum." Scorpius rolled his eyes at his silly mother. She glared at him playfully and Draco grabbed her from behind, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Scorpius is right. You look great, now come on, we're gonna be late!" he said while putting on his own black coat. Scorpius, whom had been lying on the couch lazily, had finally gotten up, eager to see his friends.
"We're going to apparate. You can go with your mother Scorp. See you there." And with that, Draco disappeared from the spot, Scorpius's mumbling about hating apparition being the last thing to ring in his ears.
The smell of Potter's small cottage differed entirely from the Malfoy Manor. The sweet aroma of sweets and cinnamon filled the room, and though Draco was not used to the small size of the house, he was oddly comforted. It smelled like Christmas, and the cookies his mother used to have the house elves bake. The wooden floors gave a natural scent, and the small lamps and photos gave it a homey feeling. Tapping his fingers against his own, Draco leaned back onto the couch, trying to get comfortable, but it was painfully frustrating with the atmosphere that encircled them.
Harry sat on the soft navy blue couch in discomfort. Sitting across from Draco didn't seem like reality. He had imagined them to be arguing about something completely irrelevant instead of merely sitting here in silence. Ginny sat beside him and Hermione beside her. Ron had been smart enough to excuse himself into the kitchen, saying that he was going to get refreshments. That was about 20 minutes ago.
Hermione cleared her throat, looking up at the quiet couple. Draco had his hand intertwined with Astoria's for she had been noticeably nervous, and Hermione couldn't blame her.
"Oh shut up Scorpius! You know as well as I do that I could have gotten that bloody snitch if it weren't for the weather that day." Rose's voice rang through the house. The adults sat silently, the atmosphere could only be described in one word: awkward.
"Yeah right Rosie. Then how did I manage to get the snitch? You're just angry that Ravenclaw didn't win the House Cup!" Scorpius said back laughing heartily, and Albus's voice interjected.
"Gryffindor will win the Cup this year Scorp. I promise you that." He said, a competitive edge in his voice.
Hermione pursed her lips, not bearing the silence.
"Well…if the children can get along, so can we right?" she tried to laugh, but it came out in a sort of hoarse cough. Ginny gave a slight nod, and Ron had finally come back to the room, empty handed, but nobody had noticed.
"I agree!" Astoria nodded with an encouraging smile and Hermione sighed with relief that someone had spoken up. The thumping in her heart seemed to have ceased. Being the only person that wasn't involved in their bickering, Astoria was the only one that was smiling genuinely, although quite nervously. She squeezed Draco's hand for comfort.
"So..." Harry started. He was sure they would have gotten right to business, the issue being so serious, but he never realized how it would be to see an old enemy. All of the old grudges were hidden in the back of his heart, and it was hard to rid of them. Hermione's voice of House Unity rang through his head and he nearly rolled his eyes. Why was it so awkward? Was it because of all the time that had passed? Shouldn't time have healed their past? Two more minutes of silence seemed to pass by until Hermione snapped. With her hands on her hips, she stood up defiantly, glaring at everyone. Ron's knee gave a nervous twitch and he instinctively grabbed his wife's hand.
"Okay, this is ridiculous." She complained, the fire in her eyes blazing again. "This is a serious matter. So serious, I can't believe we're letting old school grudges get the best of us. Think about the kids, what if there really is someone…else out there?"
"That's the thing though, who would it be?" Draco spoke up, a confused look on his face. He rolled up his sleeve, wincing slightly as he did so. Astoria seemed to have stopped breathing, and Ginny gasped.
"It's really there." She whispered. "It's not possible. How could he be back?"
"I doubt he's back." Hermione said indignantly. "He's dead. Done. It must be someone else!"
Ron groaned slightly. "There is no one else that can summon deatheater's by the Mark unless it's him. Maybe he had an heir or something?"
"Oh god, don't say that…" Harry said, shuddering at the thought and he turned back towards Draco. The thought of Voldemort ever creating an heir was horrifying if not traumatizing. Was it even possible? Who would in their right mind provide this dark wizard with a child? Harry's head seemed to be spinning or maybe it was the room? Either way he had a massive headache.
"Dad?"
Everyone looked up towards the stairs to see the children crowded around it. The curious expressions on their faces were so innocent; Draco's heart seemed to burst. Scorpius looked at his father with a questioning expression, and James was the first to finally step downstairs.
"Wow, it is awkward in here." He said bluntly and Harry rolled his eyes at his son.
"Where's Lily?" Ginny asked and he shrugged.
"Sleeping. She knocked out about 20 minutes ago." He said with a smile. Though his younger sister was finally a teenager, she was still the most innocent out of the gang, and also the most naïve. She almost reminded him of his Aunty Luna for some odd reason.
"So….what's going on here?" Rose stumbled next to James, and Albus trailed after her along with Scorpius.
"We're discussing …" Hermione glanced around nervously,
"…something…important."
"Well don't mind us then." Hugo piped up with a grin as he leaned over the couch. The adults looked at each other, half amused and half anxious. They didn't want to send the kids off without telling them the truth because they knew they would get curious, more than ever anyway. They also didn't want them to stay either, for their discussion was not for the young heart.
"Right." Ginny smiled clapping her hands together. She pursed her lips and sighed, looking up to the ceiling. She didn't understand why they were acting so childish. The itchy atmosphere had come back immediately, and it seemed as if everyone noticed it.
"So…" Ron tried to start but failed miserably. "I'm…I'm gonna go something to eat then." But as he got up, Hermione grabbed his arm with a glare.
"Oh no you don't. You're staying right here." She said firmly and James coughed.
"I think it's time for you kids to work out you're problems." He said with a wise nod. He grinned at them, and Scorpius snorted. With that, the kids left upstairs, giggles heard loud and clear.
Ron and Harry glanced at each other and grimaced. This was going to be a long night.
