Scorpius had experienced a great number of unexpected events over the course of the last few months. He had befriended a both a Weasley and a Potter, been sorted in Gryffindor, and was probably the first Malfoy to develop a passion for photography.

But this was by far the weirdest.

"So how do you feel about rubber ducks?" Scorpius stared.

"Uhh… rubber ducks?" Arthur Weasley nodded solemnly.

"One of the greatest examples of Muggle brilliance."

"Well…I haven't really thought much about it. But…they're ducks… and… I like ducks." Arthur nodded in enthusiastic agreement.

"Remarkable. Truly remarkable!" He breathed in awe. "With what simplicity the muggles create such a mesmerizing tool of both enjoyment and practicality!" He squeezed the object, giggling at the squeal it made. He squeezed it a couple more times, his eyes gleaming with what Scorpius could only describe as insanity. Arthur's tufts of white hair were sticking in several directions, making him look even more like a mad scientist. Scorpius appeared to be slightly wary. Arthur gently placed it back in the red toolbox that was at his feet.

"Yes. But…" Scorpius began with hesitation, "I've always been rather amazed by their creativity and imagination." Arthur raised his head, curiosity flitting across his face. Scorpius licked his lips and continued.

"I mean... we have magic. We know it exists. They don't. They've never really seen anything magical or any creatures with special powers. No spells or wands. But they can still create these beautiful stories with amazing, breathtaking worlds we with magic have never thought about. And like you said – they create so many ingenious devices to function without magic- like electricity and microwaves. They've trained their minds to think in a million different ways – even without magic. It's like… they still believe in a kind of magic, even when they've never seen it. They don't need proof to hold onto their faith and hope. I've always found that… a little amazing." Scorpius looked down at his hands, his heart beating fast.

Arthur began nodding in agreement, his wrinkled face shining. "Very true, very true… I've never thought about it like that! You – you're a Malfoy, you say?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Where did you learn about electrikity – "

"Electricity."

"Yes, electricity and microwaves?"

"My mother. She told me all about them growing up. We went to muggle stores too." Scorpius had always found it funny that it was only the muggles who had treated him well, the people the Malfoys never had.

"Oh yes! What is her name again… Azalia?"

"Astoria."

"Astoria! I do recall seeing her. We've talked several times, whenever we meet in Diagon Alley. She's a wonderful woman. You're very lucky to have her as a mother."

"Yeah. I am." Scorpius uttered quietly. Arthur's face softened. He bent down and pulled another object from his toolbox. Two hard red things on a white, plastic stick.

"Do you know what these are?" Arthur asked eagerly.

"Those are lollipops, aren't they?"

"Yes!" Arthur's eyes were as wide as child's in an ice cream store. "Lollipops!" He repeated, playing with the sounds of the word. "Cherry!" Scorpius chuckled. Arthur's genuine joy at the tiniest of things was infectious. It was as if everything in the world was a miracle. Scorpius could suddenly find himself agreeing that there was nothing more beautiful and precious as than this tiny lollipop. All his problems were insignificant when he compared it to the power of a lollipop. He took one from Arthur, who had already ripped the wrapper off his and was licking furiously.

"See Molly!" Arthur grabbed his wife's arm as she passed by, sticking out his tongue to show her. "Muh thung's reh!"

"I see that Arthur." Molly shook her head fondly. Then she noticed Scorpius. "Arthur! Think of how awkward our poor guest is feeling!" Arthur blushed, quickly putting his tongue back in his mouth.

"Oh no!" Scorpius assured them quickly, "It's fine. I think I did the same thing to my mother when I first had one."

"Don't be polite dear. You'll learn Arthur often needs reminding of how to act in the company of others," Arthur shrugged, a sheepish smile on his face.

"Guilty. Sorry Mollywobbles." He kissed his wife on the cheek.

"Arthur!" Molly blushed and quickly hurried away. Arthur grinned.

"I should probably go help her. I'll see you later Scorpius." Arthur suddenly became serious. "We're all very glad you're here." He squeezed Scorpius's shoulder before hurrying off with his toolbox. Scorpius shifted awkwardly. Then he felt as if he was being watched.

Scorpius slowly turned, taken aback when he saw a pair of wide brown eyes, swirling with curiosity. The boy's face was a few inches from his, thoughtfully examining Scorpius. A fringe of thick, burning red hair fell unto the boy's forehead. In his hands he clutched a colorful comic book, coated with gloss, but full of creases and folds.

"Hello." Hugo said softly, unperturbed. "Have you watched Star Trek?"

"Oh! Um… no." Hugo suddenly glared.

"Are you a Star Wars fan?" His voice was hard.

"No…?"

"Good." Hugo was once again calm and cheerful. This was not how Scorpius had imagined first meeting Rose's brother. He had expected death threats, but not because of Star Wars.

"What do you know about outer space?"

"Um… it's black?" Hugo's eyes lit up.

"No, it's filled with stars! Burning balls of gas! Bigger than anything we could ever imagine! And then there are planets – some are red, some are blue, and some have storms that go on for years!" Hugo fell on the couch, his hands buzzing with excitement. Scorpius was reminded of Arthur. "There are black holes that suck you up and stretch you like a noodle and there are rocks that hurtle forever, and everything is revolving around something, which is revolving around something else, which is revolving around something else, which is revolving around something else! And it's HUGE!" Hugo shivered in amazement. "Our world is a million times smaller than a speck of dust in comparison! Can you imagine it! And guess what? Guess!"

"What?" Scorpius smiled.

"It's getting bigger!" Hugo sighed with amazement.

"Really?" Scorpius's heart was warmed by the boy's animated expression. "That sounds amazing! Tell me more."

"You want to know?" Hugo asked shyly.

"Of course!"

"Well, there are aliens. I mean, we haven't discovered them yet, but think about how huge the universe is! We're nothing! In a world so enormous, of course there are other living creature! And guess what?"

"What?"

"They could be anything! They could be purple or green or blue or a rainbow! They could move things with their mind or have some special power even we don't have! They could be twenty feet or twenty centimeters! They could have fur or be made of jelly or have sixty fingers or armour beneath their skin! They might not even have skin! They could be anything! ANYTHING!"

"Wow." Scorpius breathed. "You're right. Anything's possible." Hugo nodded vigorously.

And at that moment, it really felt like anything was.

Molly Weasley was a whirlwind of activity and emotion. Her hands flew between a million tasks over the span of a couple seconds. She was cooking thirty chicken pies while she fried the potatoes upon the magical stove and chopped three vegetables and dumped sauce into the noodles, the dishes washing themselves behind her. She was using her wand to clear away the accumulated items upon the tables and chairs. Her hair was a fading red, streaked with silver strands. While parts of her were visibly deteriorating, her body seemed to be as strong and robust as it was years ago, shouldering the endless tasks upon her shoulders of steel. Her voice was still powerful, which was rather shocking to most people, because she had probably been using it without break for fifty years at least.

"Fred! James! Come back with those this instant! Don't even try talking yourself out of this one James, your innocence doesn't fool Luna Lovegood, much less me. Don't think I didn't see the dung bomb you stuffed in your pocket George! I want those out of the house in the next thirty seconds. Wait a minute Lucy, I can't leave this soup right now. Molly, but that book down and help your sister! Molly! Oh Fred, do something useful and help Lucy!" Something exploded on the other side of the house, momentarily shaking the foundations of the Burrow. No one but Scorpius even blinked. Angelina sprinted in and grabbed Fred by the ear, pulling him out into the living room. James ducked behind a plant. A timer went off somewhere. Molly sighed, wiping some sweat off her wet forehead.

Molly shoved a plate into his hands, not looking up to see who she was talking to. It was loaded to the brim with piles of potatoes and meats.

"Go put that on the dining table we just moved into the living room. If anyone touches it, giving them a good whack over the back of the head."

"Oh! Um… sure…" Molly's head snapped up. Her eyes widened.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" She apologized, trying to take the plate from his hands. "You're the guest! You shouldn't be doing that!"

"No, no!" Scorpius objected, stepping back so the plate was out of her grasp. "It's fine. I want to help."

"Don't be silly dear." She reprimanded kindly, placing her hands upon her hips. "We're not such bad hosts, to the point where we'd make our guests do the work!"

"Really, I don't mind." Molly stared, shocked despite Rose and Al's constant assertions by the generosity of the Malfoy boy. She quickly recovered, praying she didn't appear to be judgemental or rude.

"Well fine, but first take a bite to eat." She reached over and picked up a fresh, steaming sausage from another platter. Scorpius's mouth watered as it's delicious aroma rose into his nose. She grabbed his other hand and placed the beautiful piece of meat into it.

James ran past them. Then he stopped and slowly stepped backwards. He flashed his grandmother a winning smile, one that never failed to make almost every girl in his year giggle and blush. Sara usually snorted.

"Do I get one grandma?" He pouted his lips. Molly raised her eyebrows and placed her fists firmly upon her hips.

"Maybe if you help us set the table." James considered the proposition.

"No it's okay, I'll just steal one from the platter once Scorpius puts it down. James winked at him, laughing as he scurried off, ducking away from his grandmother's outstretched hands.

"Insolent boy." Molly muttered, but she shook her head fondly all the same. Scorpius chuckled softly. Molly grabbed another platter in one hand, balancing four more chicken pies on both of her arms.

"Unfortunately, he's not lying." Molly seemed unperturbed by Scorpius's amazement. "And there are plenty more ravenous animals who I could never seem to teach manners to."

They forced their way through a throng of Weasley's gathered in the dining room. Molly brushed her hands upon her apron once they placed the food upon the table. All eyes were fixed upon them, waiting for the warden to leave the room so they could pounce.

"Where's Albus?"

"Talking to someone."

"And Rose?"

"She's trying to force me to make friends." Molly smirked.

"How's it working out for her?"

"Well I just had a very scintillating conversation about rubber ducks with your husband, and Hugo just gave me an explanation about aliens and stars, which is a bigger success than I had expected." Molly threw her head back and laughed.

"Forgive Arthur. He doesn't seem to realize that not everybody is as insane as him. Hugo takes after him a bit in that sense."

"No, I liked it! They're… passionate. They… care about things. I guess… that's the way it should be." But even as he said it, Scorpius remembered how much the Death Eaters had cared. How deeply Lucius and Bellatrix and Voldemort had felt. But it seemed difficult to remember evil in a place overflowing with so much warmth and love. Molly considered the earnest blond boy. Her heart began to ache for the sadness in his eyes and the sweet softness in his face. She opened her arms and engulfed him into them. He stiffened, gasping slightly. She held him tightly, and Scorpius felt as if he was truly being accepted into this world.

Finally, she pulled away, brushing the hair off his face with her cool hands. "Go and enjoy yourself, I'll handle the rest of the food."

"Who's going to guard it all?"

"Oh don't worry. They know better than to mess with me."

Decorations covered the walls of the room. Lights hung from the ceiling, the charmed candles floating beside them. A huge tree towered in the corner. It was covered with gold and silver tinsel and countless handmade ornaments. A bight glow surrounded it. Scorpius's eyes drifted over the room.

Victoire was resting upon the couch in the corner with her legs pulled up to her chest. Her hair was in an elegant bun and her diamond engagement ring glimmered upon her finger. Teddy sat beside her with his arm around her shoulders, a bottle of butter bear in his otherhand. Across from them on the footrest, Dominique sat with her legs crossed. She wore an old, stained T-Shirt and sweatpants. Her boy cut had grown slightly, so she had to push the hair off her eyes occasionally. She listened eagerly as they described their wedding plans for when Victoire would graduate. Victoire craned her neck up and pressed a kiss to her fiancé's cheek. Dominique laughed when Teddy's hair turned pink.

Fred and James sat huddled against a wall, in deep discussion. Their eyes were focused upon a piece of parchment. James was furiously scribbling on it with a quill. Louis was watching over their shoulders, his lips growing into a grin. Scorpius didn't doubt that the three of them would disappear after dinner, most likely to be found in the vicinity of another explosion.

Lucy, with her blond hair in two ponytails, sat with a storybook in her lap. Her demure voice swam over the colorful pictures. Lorcan and Lysander, both soon to be seven years old, were enraptured. They clung unto her every word, amazement washing over their faces every time she turned the page.

Bill, Charlie, Audrey, Angelina and George were all gathered in a circle upon another set of chairs, gulping down bottles of fire whiskey, bellowing boisterously and roaring with deafening laughter.

Molly II was crouched upon the stairs in the darkness, occasionally lifting her face from her book to glare when the noise rose. Roxanne was braiding Lily's hair, and eventually both of them leapt up and ran to Molly. They forced their hands into her hair, ignoring her surly protests. The book was thrown aside, forgotten (not that Molly had been paying much attention to it anyway).

Percy was babbling to Hugo about cauldrons, not caring if the child was listening or not. Hugo's gaze was clear and sharp.

"Psst!" Scorpius tilted his head, wondering if he had imagined the sound.

"Psst! Scorpius!" Was he going insane? Had some Weasley cousin spiked his drink?

"Oh for goodness sake!" A familiar voice snapped. Rose stomped up behind him, grabbed his arm and pulled him to the stairs where Al was sitting.

"Well, look who decided who finally show up." Scorpius crossed his arms, miffed.

"Sorry Mr. Melodramatic, it took longer than we thought." Rose huffed.

"Maybe we shouldn't have left him alone." Al grinned. "It seems like James has already began rubbing off on him."

"Hey!" Scorpius felt slightly offended. "You two are the ones that ditched me. You know how awkward this has been?"

"Last time I checked, you were talking to my brother about aliens."

"Still." Scorpius glared. "I did not appreciate that one bit. You're supposed to be my friends." Rose and Albus had already stopped paying attention.

"Come on!" Rose grabbed Scorpius's arm. "We have something to show you!" She grinned eagerly. Scorpius tried to remain angry, but it was difficult to when he stared into her shining eyes.

They took him to the attic. The beams of the roof hung low. In a few years, they would have to hunch over to avoid hitting their heads against them. It was cluttered with boxes and tiny chairs and garbage bags. Everything was coated with a layer of dust.

"Welcome to the Weasley Family Land Fill." Albus presented it proudly, waving his arms dramatically. "Every useless keepsake that should have been thrown out years ago ends up here." Scorpius coughed.

Rose dragged out a cardboard box, plumes of dust rising behind it. Albus picked up another smaller wooden box, the brown paint chipping away at the edges. Albus crossed his legs, ignoring the dirt that was gathering upon his hands. Rose followed, grabbing Scorpius and dragging him down with her.

"I can walk myself you know." Scorpius grumbled. Rose ignored him. She opened the box, squeezing her eyes shut when a cloud of dust rose up into her face. Scorpius leaned forward, curious at what items it contained.

"This was Aunt Fleur's wedding dress. Can you believe it?" Scorpius shook his head in disbelief, lighting running his fingertips over the delicate, shimmering fabric.

"Why's it here?"

"Misplaced probably. They'll probably come up here and find it one of these days when they need it." Albus reached in and pulled a brown, leather diary out from it. Pages covered with illegible black ink were falling out.

"This was Grandma Molly's first cookbook, just after she got married. The first recipes she used. She transferred them to a new one later." Rose pulled out a large, golden ball.

"This was the golden egg from the Triwizard Tournament in our parents' fourth year. That was -"

"I know what the Triwizard Tournament was." Scorpius's hand hovered over the dim, golden glow of the egg.

"Oh!" Rose giggled, pulling out a fraying piece of atrocious fabric. "Guess what these are!"

"Is that a dress?" Scorpius wrinkled his nose as he examined the lace. Albus guffawed, choking on his own spit.

"These were my dad's first dress robes." Rose whispered, eyes glittering. Scorpius's eyes snapped open.

"Oh." Scorpius managed. "Was your grandma that angry at him?"

"Bet you mum stole them from the trash can. Probably figured she wouldn't get any better blackmail than that." Albus snickered into his hand.

"Oh! And look at these!" Rose grabbed a couple journals from the box. "These are dad and Uncle Harry's divination dream diaries. And their homework. They're the funniest thing in the world. Especially their predictions of the future."

"The scariest thing is that they sometimes, in a weird indirect way, came true." Al shivered.

"Mum kept all her notes from every class. I have all of them with me. They're better than the textbook."

"Bet you they were her bed time story growing up!" Al snickered. Scorpius shook his head in mock anger.

"You have an unfair advantage over me! You have Hermione Granger's notes. No wonder you got one percent higher than me on the Transfiguration essay!" Rose shrugged, smirking.

"Life's not fair."

"Oh! Here's Uncle Ron's chocolate frog collection." It filled an entire box of it's own. "We could sell these for thousands of galleons." Albus gazed wistfully.

"I think all the stuff here is worth millions." Scorpius pulled out a torn, fluffy pink dress from the box. It would fit a six year old. "What's this?"

"A girly thing grandma once tried to force mum into."

"Why is it burnt?"

"I'm pretty sure Aunt Ginny had to put up a fight." Rose said. "Aunt Molly had gone through six pregnancies to get a baby that could one day wear that dress."

"What a disappointment mum must have been." Al snickered.

Scorpius saw many more items, small things from almost every Weasley member over decades.

"Victoire's first Tales of the Beedle and the Bard. Uncle Bill read her Babbitty Rabitty every night."

"Don't touch that! It's the Monster's Book of Monsters. It can bite your hand off."

"Old broomsticks! These are ancient! I think these were the ones when they were teenagers."

"Here are some beater bats! I think they were Uncle George and his brother's."

"A bunch of the original WWW products. The ones Uncle George and Uncle Fred were testing out in their seventh year."

"The original skiving snack boxes?" Scorpius was amazed. Those were legend. Albus nodded energetically.

"Here's a Potion's Textbook. It says… Roonil Wazlib on the inside…"

"Wicked! Uncle Bill's old fang earing! Wonder why he stopped wearing this."

"I think after being attacked by a werewolf, fangs lost their appeal."

"Uncle Percy's old Cauldron Bottom Reports. I should take a couple of these for when I'm having trouble falling asleep at night."

"Uncle Charlie's dragon figurines from when he was a kid."

Teddy's dad's old robes. Shabby and gray.

Sirius Black's leather jacket.

Tonks's compass she had probably never been able to use.

A whole box full of newspaper articles from the time the Daily prophet was calling Harry Potter a lying, attention-seeking prat.

Quibbler magazines, mostly nonsense, but some calling for people to stand up and fight Voldemort with Harry.

Old poems Arthur had once written for Molly, back when they were in Hogwarts. Arthur was certainly not a poet, but he was genuine.

Pictures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Hundreds of them. At the Burrow, in the Gryffindor Common Room, in the Great Hall, on the Quidditch Pitch. Studying together, leaning on each other, running together, laughing together, yelling at each other, teasing each other. Loving each other. All the ones they hadn't filled in albums or framed on walls. They were probably only a few of the millions they had taken.

"Look at these." Albus lifted the lid from the box he had been holding the entire time. More pictures. Only random, insignificant moments, but they took Scorpius's breath away.

Lily with her hair in two braids, grinning widely without her two front teeth. James first riding his broom. Rose seated stubbornly with her legs crossed upon the grass. Her arms crossed and pressed to her chest. She had painted her face and dressed up. Teddy when he was fourteen years hold, blushing as he handed Victoire a rose. The Potter siblings in reindeer footie pajamas and red Santa hats, baking gingerbread cookies in the kitchen. James and Albus's hair white from attacking each other with flour, and Lily using Christmas tree cookie cutters. Roxanne and Fred, standing upon stools behind the counter of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, grinning as they shoved each other. Lucy cradled in her father's lap, listening as he read from the story book, her head resting upon his chest. James sprinting through the streets of Diagon Alley, carrying his squealing sister on his back. Albus and Rose, crouched behind a bush, eavesdropping. Hugo and Ron playing chess, both in deep concentration. Baby Molly waddling behind her Grandmother in the kitchen. Dominique drenched in sweat, her face red and panting, her beater's bat in one hand and her beloved broom in the other. Louis's face, filled with stickers and scribbled from scented markers. Roxanne painting her nails red. James and Fred pressed up against the wall, whimpering as Rose glares furiously, pointing her wand at both of them. Hermione and Rose drinking hot chocolate together, surrounded by piles of books. Ginny fixing a cut on Albus's knee, wiping the tears off his face. Fleur teaching her children how to dance, watching as they attempted to mimic her light, graceful movements. Roxanne and Fred, carrying boxes around the the storage room of WWW with their father. All the tiny children gathered around Uncle Charlie, listening with wonder to his stories. Molly and Arthur under the mistletoe, blushing as they quickly kissed, surrounded by the entire family that had begun with them.

"These are only a few. We all have albums full of them. No one had the heart to throw these away, so Rose and I took them."

"Wow." Scorpius breathed, running finger across their laughter, their smiles. "You've all… done so much."

"Not really."

"But… you've lived."

"What does that mean?" They didn't understand. They were confused. They didn't know what it was like to grow up existing inside a box of silence and fear. They had all grown up without limits. Without iron walls towering above them. Their lives were damp with vibrant colors. Scorpius's was empty and white. How could Scorpius even begin to explain it all to them?

"Well, you've… never mind." Al shrugged, placing the photographs back in the box.

Suddenly, they heard voices. Concerned voices. The hushed words adults used when they were speaking secrets they didn't want their children to hear.

"Quick! Behind the boxes!" Albus and Rose quickly leapt up and dived behind the cardboard boxes. Al yanked Scorpius by the arm. He tumbled over the boxes, landing on his face upon the wooden floor beside them.

"Smooth." Rose sniggered.

"What are you doing?" Scorpius hissed, wiping the dust off his tongue with his sleeve.

"Listening." Al winked.

"What? No, they might be talking about something important!"

"That's the point moron." Rose rolled her eyes.

"I don't think that's a very good idea."

"Never mind, I don't think James rubbed off on him that much after all." Al snorted.

"Shut up!" Rose snapped, "They're almost up." Scorpius attempted to protest, but quickly ducked down when Ron's bright red hair came in sight.

"There's been three, just in the past week. And all of them, the exact same mark left on their wrists." Harry was saying.

"Are you sure Harry?" Ron's voice was tight with tension.

"You know the facts as well as I do Ron."

"I know, it's just… blimey! I thought we were finally done with this stuff! I thought… I thought this… this fighting, this fear… I thought it was finally behind us." Ron's voice cracked. Scorpius could feel the pain resonating through his words.

"I don't think the world will ever be done with this stuff." Harry's voice was decrepit and weary, as if to be done with "this stuff" was a fervent dream he had abandoned long ago.

"But after Voldemort… after all that brutal destruction and carnage, I just… I hoped…" Ron's voice died in a sigh of frustration.

"It hardly matters." Hermione scoffed. "We'll always find our way to back to destruction. Humans is built upon hatred." Cynical pessimism laced Hermione's words. It created an image in their minds so far from the indomitable, determined woman they always saw. Rose shook her head with disbelief.

"That's not mum… that's not my mum!" She whispered earnestly, as if trying desperately to convince someone. Probably herself. Al shushed her, but his eyes were also broken with shock. Apparently, Ron agreed with his daughter.

"You can't say that Hermione!" The floor creaked as Ron moved towards his wife.

"Why not?" Hermione was struggling to hold back the emotion that threatened to pour from her mouth. "It feels so hopeless sometimes!" A sound echoed as she banged her fist against the wall in frustration. "I feel proud about doing something or changing something, but then I realize how futile it is! I changed a tiny law. So what? There are still millions of people who won't accept that I changed it, and refuse to understand why I needed to! They are still millions more I need to change to actually make a difference in someone's life! We all have to fight day and night for years to do a small thing that hardly benefits anyone! Fighting evil is like fighting a Hydra. You get rid of one enemy, but two more rise in it's place, each time more powerful than the last. It just feels so damn useless!"

"Hermione…" Harry attempted weakly, but he seemed unable to do anything but agree with her. This was not the case for Ron.

"How can you say that Hermione?" Ron exclaimed. "You of all people! You've made changes, you've made incredible things happen! You know it's possible, you've done it! How can you even begin to think that!"

"I know! I won't stop trying or fighting, you know that! But sometimes… sometimes it does feel like it makes no difference anyway." Hermione sighed. "There's always something terrible happening, something worse! What use is fighting something that can never be defeated. Fighting evil when it feels more and more like fighting…human nature."

"I know, love." Defeat filled Ron's voice. Between the crack of the door, they could see him gather her into his arms. She buried her head into his chest. After a few moments, Harry stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the both of them. They all stood in silence, replenishing their depleted strength from each other – from the love they had for each other.

"Hermione's right about one thing though." Ron began suddenly. "It doesn't matter. Because whatever it is, whatever happens, we'll fight it. Together. We'll do what we have to do. Like always. Nothing else to it. What do you say mate?" Ron cocked his head, tears shining in his eyes, and smiled at his best friend and his brother. Harry grinned, and behind the years of stress and war and fatigue, it was not difficult to see the eleven-year-old boy who once walked into Diagon Alley for the first time, completely in awe with magic.

"Sounds like a plan King." Ron turned to his wife.

"Well I don't think we can do this without the Brightest Witch of our Age. You're the brains. You in?"

Hermione straightened up, squaring her shoulders and raising her chin. Her eyes blazed with the familiar look of dauntless determination. "I believe I don't a have a choice. You two would end up screwing up in the first five minutes without me!"

"Hey!" Harry teased, "I'm Head Auror! Give me some credit!"

"I was Deputy," Ron reminded her, "Then I quit."

"Oh, so that's why I got a party invitation from the department the next day!"

"Shut up Hermione." But the three of them were chuckling.

"The sad thing – " Harry began morosely.

" – is that it's probably true." Ron finished sullenly. Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to Hermione's cheek.

"You two refused to accept it for the longest time. I think it was the constant failure that forced you to realize it." Ron and Harry began grumbling in protest. They seemed to be enjoying it very much.

Scorpius shivered, feeling as if he was staring into one of the purest forms of love. Al leaned his head upon Scorpius's shoulder, grabbing Rose's hand at the same time. She pushed it away. Her eyebrows were scrunched together in irritation.

"But what's happening?" She demanded forcefully, struggling not to raise her voice.

As if she had heard her daughter's plea, Hermione asked Harry to repeat what he'd been telling them.

"Last month, they infiltrated the Department of Mysteries."

Scorpius gasped. Albus quickly shoved his hand over his best friend's mouth. Rose was trembling.

"Did they take anything?"

"No. And we never would have known that they were there if they hadn't left the object. The same object they've been leaving everywhere. It's strange. They've been kidnapping people all over the country, but they always return them within a couple days."

"They're creating a name for themselves. Making more and more people scared of them, scared of their symbol. Like Voldemort did with his name." Ron said.

"They're showing you what they can do. What they're capable of." Hermione added.

"That's not it. It's not even the worst part." He leaned in closer to them. Scorpius, Rose and Al held their breath. "When the people they take are returned – "

"DAD! MUM SAYS IF YOU DON'T COME DOWN FOR DINNER SHE'LL EAT YOURS FOR YOU!" James hollered. Harry sighed.

From behind the boxes, Rose growled. Albus glared at her, pressing his finger to his lips.

"We'll talk more later." Hermione reassured him. Ron nodded.

"After tomorrow though." Ron said. "After Christmas."

"Who knows what'll have happened after Christmas is over." Harry massaged his temple.

"After Christmas." Ron repeated forcefully. "Christmas is a time for family. The rest of the world can wait." Hermione wrapped an arm around her husband's waist, and Ron kissed the top of her head, slinging his arm over her shoulders.

"One last thing though," Harry sounded reluctant and wary. "I really don't want to do this, but it looks as if I'm going to have to. I've been trying to delay it as much as possible…"

"What?" Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"I'm going to have to add the former Death Eaters who were cleared to a suspect list."

"No!" Hermione and Ron gasped. "Harry, that includes the Malfoys."

"I know." Harry groaned. "I'm trying not to, but I really have no choice. It wouldn't be very long. Just a one-day search. I'll interrogate them myself, to make sure it's fair."

"God knows the history we have with Draco, but Scorpius is just a boy." Ron sighed. "It's not fair to put him through that, especially when we know for sure they're innocent."

"That's the thing though. We know that in our hearts, but we'll have to investigate all past offenders. Best to get it done quickly and quietly, before the press blows it out of proportion."

"DAD! UNCLE RON! AUNT HERMIONE! I CALL DIBS ON YOUR DESERT!" .

"After Christmas." Ron repeated.

"After Christmas." Harry agreed. They made their way down the ladder.

"Scorpius?" Al whispered tentatively. Rose reached for his hand. Concern filled their eyes.

He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. They have to, it's their job. It's nice of them to try to avoid it, but they can't." He shrugged. "Let's go down, I'm starving."

"So Scorpius, are you an evil, bigoted psychopath?" George asked cheerfully while cutting a piece of steak.

"I don't think so." Scorpius put his fork down for a minute, pondering the question. "I'd consider myself more of a sociopath really."

"Oh that's interesting. It's sad really. Sociopaths are so underrated. They don't get the attention they deserve."

"I agree. It's a tragedy really."

"So are you planning on murdering us all in our beds?"

"Sorry, I don't have my notebook on me right now. It has a list of my potential targets."

"Does it also contain your plan for world domination?"

"Oh yes! It even has my ideas for what I will call the world once it's mine. Right now I'm deciding between Scorpiusland or Malfoy World."

"So would you use the muggles as your slaves."

"Oh yes, of course. They will be responsible for doing tricks for my entertainment. Jumping up and down, rolling over. Massaging my feet. The basic stuff really."

"I like you Scorpius."

"Thank you. Do you usually steal wallets from the people you like?" George grinned, pulling Scorpius's wallet from his pants and tossing it back to him. Scorpius caught it with ease. Charlie gave a low whistle.

"Nice arm."

"How do you like Hogwarts Scorpius?" Hermione asked kindly.

"I love it! It's incredible."

"How are you doing in your classes?" Ron asked, slyly sneaking a look at his daughter.

"I can't tell you that."

"Why not?"

"Rose might not be able to handle the reality of my marks being higher than hers. She's in denial." Scorpius mock whispered. Rose gasped. The entire table erupted into laughter.

"Yeah right! As if!" She whirled around in her seat and glared at Scorpius. He smiled cheekily. Everyone laughed harder. Rose was shocked.

"It's true!"

"Yeah right!" James called out, just to annoy her. Rose's ears turned red.

"Scorpius Malfoy." She gritted her teeth.

"You ditched me when I needed you most Rose." Scorpius grinned. "I'm not feeling the most merciful."

"I regret inviting you."

"I don't." Al smirked.

"I'm doing better than you in Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"I'm doing better than you in Herbology, Potions, and I am definitely doing better than you in Defense Against the Dark Arts." Scorpius retaliated.

"No you're not!"

"Yes I am!"

"I beat you on the essay!"

"1%. And I beat you on the exam."

"By two questions!"

"Victory is victory. Which is more than you can brag about."

"Won't stop her from trying." Louis snickered.

"I beat you on two homework assignments!"

"I beat you on three."

"Liar! Only one!"

"I blame Ron for this." Ginny shook her head with amusement.

"Guilty." Ron simpered. He didn't seem very remorseful. He seemed to be pleased with outcome, no matter how much he was beginning to like Scorpius.

"Admit it." Rose stuck out her chin. "I win."

"Sure, if you're alright with being comforted with a lie." Scorpius was starting to laugh now.

"Scorpius, you – " Rose tried to glare, but she contain the laughter that was beginning to bubble from her lips. Albus got up from his chair and put his arms around both of his best friends. Soon their stomachs were aching from how much they had laughed.

Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance. It was like they were staring at themselves.

"We're really glad you're here Scorpius." Harry's eyes twinkled. Ron nodded. Hermione beamed.

"Trust me," Scorpius colored, staring down at his hands. "There's no where I'd rather be."

"Excuse me?" Molly flinched, dropping the plate she was drying. It shattered when it hit the ground.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Scorpius gasped, cursing himself internally.

"Oh, it's fine dear." She whipped out her wand and fixed the plate. "If I got so emotional every time someone broke a plate in this house I don't think I'd ever stop crying!"

"I was wondering if you needed any help." Scorpius scratched his ear awkwardly.

"Oh Scorpius, you've done so much for me already. Go have fun with the others!"

"I can help you dry the dishes! You have so much to do." Molly shook her head, a small smile on her face.

"Alright… but the next time you come, I expect you to leave your manners at home." She gave him a pointed look as she handed over the towel. Scorpius's heart lifted. She busied herself in another task.

"Do you know about Bellatrix Lestrange?" Molly suddenly asked. Scorpius's throat tightened.

"My mother told me about her. How… evil she was."

"She killed my son." Molly's voice didn't quiver, like Scorpius would have expected. It was cold with anger, sounding in a way that both scared him and shocked him. She rubbed the clean counter furiously with her cloth.

"…I… I know." Scorpius forced the words from his mouth.

"I killed her." She said it in a matter of fact tone. "I don't regret it one bit. I might even have enjoyed it, if I wasn't so consumed with pain and anger." She chuckled. There was no humor in it.

His hands trembled has he picked up another plate. "I don't either. I don't regret it. I'm glad – she deserved it." He licked his lips. "I… I know it's not worth much, but I'm… I'm sorry." Molly threw her cloth down. She stepped forward and hugged him fiercely.

"You don't need to be sorry. You've never needed to be." She pulled away and and cupped his cheeks in her hands. Her eyes were bright with warmth and affection. "And in this house, we will make sure you never are."

Scorpius was so overcome with emotion that he began to cry.

Thank you so much for all the reviews, favorites, and follows! I'm so sorry I haven't been able to update! I hope this chapter makes up for it!

Love you guys!