The day dawned bright and beautiful, mocking in a way, when one thought of what was to be done. The formal robes had been donned, hair perfectly arranged, somber greetings exchanged and sympathies given.
"Are you okay?"
Messy black hair was the first thing Scorpius saw, and he offered a small smile.
"As okay as I'm going to get today, I think," Scorpius replied quietly. "Thanks for being here, Al."
"As if I'd be anywhere else when you needed me," Albus scoffed, squeezing his boyfriend's hand. "The others are all here too. We called a code black. We'll sit at the back, but you'll know we're here."
Scorpius shook his head, slightly amused that Albus was still using the colour code they'd had in school for when one of their friends had a problem or needed them.
"You'll sit with me. My father accepts you, as does my grandmother. You know that, Al."
"Scorpius," a voice called, the two young men turning to find Draco walking towards them. His hair was receding slightly, but he wore it long as his father had done before him, and he looked elegant in his formal black robes.
"Albus, thank you for coming," Draco murmured, squeezing Al's shoulder briefly. "You'll sit with us today," he added. "Scorpius, your grandmother has decided to accede to your wishes. As much as tradition dictates that my father should be laid to rest in the family tomb, we both believe you're correct when you say that he would have preferred to be amongst the flowers he adored throughout his life."
Scorpius felt tears filling his eyes and he reached out to grip his dad in a tight hug, one that was returned immediately.
"Thank you, Dad," he whispered.
"You're not the only one with memories of him there," Draco replied quietly. "He taught me the history as he taught you, seated on that bench."
Scorpius nodded. "I know. He told me I reminded him of you as a child, eager to learn the history of the family but more eager to run around chasing butterflies."
Draco cracked a smile.
"He lived a hard life, your grandfather, and we may not have agreed on everything, but he knew how to appreciate beauty. I'm glad that of everything he could have passed onto you, it was that."
Scorpius gripped Albus' hand tightly in his, following behind his grandmother and his parents. They'd chosen to keep this private, and Scorpius was glad of that. He could only imagine how his grandfather would feel about people trampling all over his beloved flowers.
It was his grandmother that spoke, her voice soft but strong as she lifted her wand.
"For eighty one years, this place was your safe haven, Lucius. May it always be, as we lay you to rest amongst the flowers. We love you, darling."
Albus wrapped his other arm around Scorpius as Narcissa spelled the ashes to spread over the flowerbeds, comforting his heartbroken boyfriend as he sobbed into his robes.
Draco nodded to him, a small smile on his face, as eventually, the two of them were left alone. When Scorpius was cried out and exhausted, Albus whispered to him that it was time to return to the manor. They could curl up in bed together and rest.
An unexpected wind swept around them, and Albus heard a softly spoken whisper in a familiar voice, "Look after my grandson."