Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe and characters belongs to J.K. Rowling, unfortunately not me.

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. Sorry it's been awhile since the last update! This chapter just wasn't flowing very well.

Chapter 8

Draco sighed in relief after reading the letter from Potter. He didn't want to have to explain himself to the other man, but he would have if it helped convince him to let Albus come over. He had had a feeling, however, that Potter wouldn't be able to say no to something that would make his own son happy. Draco had also made sure to avoid any mention of Potter accompanying his son, and the darker haired man hadn't mentioned it. Draco was quite relieved about this. He just couldn't bring himself to face the man after the night at the pub.

For the next hour or so, Draco found himself restless. He had been sitting at his desk attempting to get some work done, but he kept shifting around, fidgeting, and checking the time. Finally, it was close enough to the arrival of Hogwarts Express that he deemed it appropriate to Apparate to King's Cross Station. As he passed through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾, he was happy to see many other parents just as eager to see their children as he was to see Scorpius. He found a place close to the tracks to wait for the train. He shifted from foot to foot, attempting to release some of his nervous energy.

Time seemed to pass more slowly than Draco ever imagined was possible as he waited impatiently for his son's arrival. As he continued to keep his eyes on the train, there was a flash of red hair just at the edge of his peripheral vision. Draco's stomach flipped. He knew it was irrational, but he just knew that was Potter and his wife. He risked taking a peek and was met with Potter's emerald gaze. He immediately snapped his head forward and was immensely relieved to hear the Hogwarts Express pulling into the station. The thought of seeing Scoprius for the first time since he was in the Hospital Wing pushed all thoughts of Potter into the back of his mind.

After the train came to a stop at the platform, slowly but surely Hogwarts students started to trickle out of the many compartments. Eventually, Draco was able to spot the white-blonde head of his son. Once Scorpius spotted him, he waved enthusiastically. He turned around to say goodbye to the boy behind him, who Draco belatedly identified as Albus Potter, before bounding enthusiastically over to his father. Draco gathered his son into his arms for a giant hug. "Welcome home, son." He mumbled into the top of his head.

Scorpius hugged him back with just as much enthusiasm before they made their way hand and hand through the wall and back into King's Cross Station. It wasn't until just before he stepped through the divider that Draco registered the feeling of an intense stare on the back of his head that could only belong to one person.

Back at the Manor, Draco and his son sat in the dining room, eating and chatting about the last several months. Scorpius did most of the talking as he went on and on about all of his adventures with his friends at Hogwarts. Draco simply nodded and smiled fondly at his son. When Scorpius had finished all of his stories, he took a sip of his pumpkin juice before looking expectantly at his father. "When is mother getting here to celebrate Christmas?" he asked.

Draco froze. He had meant to explain to his son in a letter that his mother would not be joining them this year, but every time he went to write it, he couldn't bring himself to do it. And now he had no choice but to finally inform his son of the truth. "I'm sorry, Scorpius, I thought I had already told you. Your mother will be out of the country this holiday season so she will not be joining us."

Scorpius's face fell, and Draco felt his heart break a little. "Is she in France with Pierre?" he asked, his voice so low that Draco had to strain to hear him.

Pierre Montmartre was a wealthy, pureblood French wizard whom Astoria had become involved with shortly after their marriage had ended. Draco had his suspicions that the relationship had begun while they were still married, but he really didn't have a leg to stand on when it came to infidelity. The Montmartre family was known for extravagant holiday parties that Astoria had always wanted to drag Draco to while they were married, but he had insisted that it was a time for family. Draco simply nodded.

"And she won't be here for my birthday, either?" His son sounded so dejected that Draco considered sending a Howler to his ex-wife immediately to demand her presence for the holidays, but he knew it would do no good. Astoria couldn't stand him, and Scorpius just wasn't as big of a priority for her as he was for Draco.

"I'm sorry, Little Dragon. She did say you could join her in France if you'd rather." Draco rarely used nicknames for his son, but that was his favorite. Draco's mother had started calling him that when he was a baby because he looked so much like Draco when he was young. He still did, a fact that Draco couldn't help but be proud of. Even though his marriage had failed largely because he wasn't happy and sought happiness elsewhere, he still sometimes wished things could have been different. It would have been painful for him if his son resembled his ex-wife too closely.

"No! Of course I want to stay with you! I just wish she could be here too." Scorpius exclaimed.

"I know, son, but I did plan something that may make you feel a little better."

Scorpius's eyes lit up. "What is it?"

Draco smiled at his son. "Well, I spoke with Mr. Potter, and he said that Albus could come spend the day with us on your birthday."

"Really? Thanks, dad! You know I would have been happy just spending it with you, but it will be even better spending it with both of you!"

Draco felt his heart swell at his son's words. "I know, but I wanted to do something to make it a little more special."

His son got up and hugged him before finishing his dinner as the pair continued to catch up on all they had missed.

The beginning of the break passed relatively uneventfully for Draco and Scorpius. They spent time together simply enjoying each other's company. They played games each night like Exploding Snap and Wizard Chess, the former of which Scorpius had become quite good at during the first term of the school year. They took a trip to Diagon Alley one day and Muggle London another. They even braved the winter chill a couple of times to play some Quidditch. Even when they simply sat by the fire, each of them either reading or writing a letter, Draco was glad to have his son around.

Christmas came and went pretty uneventfully for the Malfoy duo. They exchanged presents in the morning, the most significant of which being a new broom for Scorpius and a rare potions book for Draco. He wasn't sure how his son had managed to track it down, but he was excited nonetheless. That night they had a Christmas feast and ended the evening with a couple butterbeers by the fire and a couple games of Exploding Snap.

After Scorpius was in bed and asleep, Draco poured himself a glass of Firewhisky and sipped it slowly, reflecting on how different his life was since the divorce. He didn't want to dwell on such sad thoughts, but he couldn't help himself. The holiday had reminded him how excited Astoria used to get about Christmas, and how much more festive the house had looked and felt with her decorations and presence. He quickly downed the rest of the alcohol and poured himself another glass to clear the maudlin thoughts. He really needed to move on and try to meet a nice wizard to date and stop moping about his failed marriage. After Scorpius was back at Hogwarts, this would be his new goal. And with that, Draco drifted off into sleep with thoughts of fit men with messy black hair and green eyes.

The next thing Draco was aware of was his son frantically calling for him. He sat up quickly and looked around in confusion. He wasn't in his bedroom; he must have fallen asleep in the study. "Dad! Albus is going to be here any minute! Where are you?"

"In the study, Scorpius."

A minute later, his son popped through the door of the study. "There you are! What are you doing? Why didn't you wake me?"

"I must have fallen asleep down here so there was nothing to wake me up. I'm sorry."

"Well, get up! It's 10 o'clock."

Draco was about to go upstairs to get ready for the day when he heard the sound of the Floo in the front entryway. "He's here!" Scorpius exclaimed excitedly.

Draco groaned and followed his son into the entryway. At least he didn't have to worry about his appearance for a couple of teenagers. Albus came through the Floo and immediately wished Scorpius a "Happy Birthday." The two hugged, and Draco looked on with fondness. That is, until he heard the sounds of the Floo again. He immediately snapped his head around and standing in his entryway was none other than Harry Potter.

"Hullo, Malfoy. I hope it's still alright if I join in on the festivities," he greeted with a smirk.

With no other option than to be a good host, Draco nodded curtly and swept his arm to the side, indicating that the other man could come in.