Authors notes: another chapter and a short one at that, but it's a very important chapter. Plus we see a return of one certain Draco Malfoy and a very suprising ending!
Tenbert: glad you like the premise of the story and enjoying my story. Now when I was writing this story I was conflicted about how to proceed with this, but if you start to looking at the kids that are eleven years old they do act like that. Remember that Scorpius started Hogwarts in 2016.
Finally REVIEW that is my only payment
Scorpius knew something was wrong a soon as he spotted Headmistress McGonagall striding towards him, an expression of disapproval painted across the elderly contours of her face. He sat up straight in his chair, setting down his fork on the Hufflepuff table as she approached him. The Great Hall quieted slightly upon seeing the Headmistress walking amongst the students.
"Mr. Malfoy, please come with me." Mcgonagall said stiffly. Scorpius swallowed nervously, then stood to his feet. Samantha, sitting across from him, had a puzzled look on her face but managed to shoot him an encouraging smile before he followed McGonnagall towards the door.
Heads turned as Scorpius exited the room. Students were rarely pulled out during lunch, and it was even more rare to be pulled out by the headmistress. Scorpius felt a pit of dread forming in his stomach. Were his parents well? Had something happened?
"Headmis-"
"You're not in in trouble, Scorpius." The grey haired woman interrupted as she led him to the entrance hall. "your father is here to see you."
Scorpius felt his stomach drop no one ever had their parents visit at Hogwarts. Ever. They rounded the corner and sure enough, Draco Malfoy stood at the bottom of the staircase arms crossed over his chest.
"You have ten minutes." Mcgonagall said curtly, clearly not pleased with the situation.
Taking in a deep breath, Scorpius met the icy silver gaze of his father and made his way down the steps, heading into the unknown
**page break**
As Scorpius descended down the stone steps into the Entrance Hall, he felt the pit of dread in his stomach grow. His father stood as still as a statue with his arms crossed stiffly aver his abdomen, staring at his son while approached.
"Father." Scorpius said, dipping his head respectively as he stood in front of the tall, silver-haired man.
"Scorpius." Draco Malfoy replied, his voice quiet yet stern Scorpius bit his lip, staring down at the floor. His heart pounding frantically as awaited the inevitable. "how are you?" his father suddenly asked, surprising Scorpius. He looked up into his father's lustrous grey eyes and was even more started to see no anger in them, only concern.
"I'm well." He answered in a small tone. Draco nodded in approval.
"Are you enjoying Hufflepuff?" he inquired. Scorpius opened his bis mouth but nothing came out. He wasn't sure what he should say. The alst thing he wanted was to hurt his father, but he couldn't lie either. The truth of the matter was that Scorpius really was enjoying his time in Hufflepuff.
"I…" Scorpius voice trailed. He couldn't say it. Draco, seemingly sensing his discomfort, knelt down and place his strong hands on Scorpius shoulders.
"I'm not angry with you, son." His father assured him, even giving him a tentative smile. It was then that Scorpius noticed a bruise stretching down the side of his father's face.
"yes I'm enjoying it." Scorpius eventually replied, his brow furrowing in confusion at the purple mark. He thought he saw a flash of disappointment in his father eyes, but it it was quickly replaced with a sad smile.
"I'm glad to hear that." Draco answered, and Scorpius felt his stomach deflate as relief flowed through his veins.
"You aren't angry?" he croaked breathlessly. Draco shook his head, and Scorpius was started at the amount of affection swirling in his silver eyes.
"Scorpius, you are my son. I'll awalys love you, no matter what house you're in." Draco gripped his shoulders tightly, gazing deep into his son's eyes. Then he looked over his shoulders and Scorpius detected a nervous glint in his eye. "I will tell you, your grandfather….well he's very unhappy about this." Scorpius felt the dread returning.
"Was he the one who hit you?" he asked softly. Draco returned the gaze to Scorpius and he saw the surprise in his father's eyes, but also a hint of fear. Fear. That was a word Scorpius never associated with his father.
"That's not important." His father replied, glancing down at the tiled floor. Scorpius shivered, wondering what it was Lucius had done to instill this, fear inside of his father. "Your grandfather, he's very traditional." Draco continued "and to be frank, he's a bit more than unhappy. He's furious." Scorpius shuddered thinking of the wrath his grandfather could bring up it.
"Father, I-"
"No Scorpius listen to me." Draco insisted. Scorpius stared at him in shock, puzzled at the tremulous tone of his father's voice. "Lucius is watching the school. He's watching you. The Malfoy name was almost ruined after the war against Voldermort, and he will do anything to keep what little honor is left. In his mind, you joining Hufflepuff was the worst thing that could have happened. Lucius believes Slytherin is only House for those with honor." Scorpius hung his head lsightly at his father's words.
"I'm sorry." He murmured, guilt flowing through his mind.
"Scorpius look at me." He raised his head and met his father's gaze. Draco's grey eyes were swimming with mixture of sorrow and…was that pride?
"He's wrong. Don't ever apologize for being you." Scorpius nodded gravely "But please, just….just keep your head down and…and don't do anything stupid." Draco pleaded.
"I wont." Scrpius promised Draco smiled morosely.
I'm proud of you son." He said hoarsely, then wrapped Scorpius in a quick embrace. Scorpius felt a small swelling in his chest, seeing as his father was rarely this emotional.
Draco pulled back, then stood to his feet, towering over Scorpius. He saw the light fade from his eyes as his father resumed his normal attitude.
"I-I should go." Scorpius said quietly, glancing over his shoulder at the entrance to the Great Hall.
"I'll write to you soon." His father promised. Scorpius gave a wobbly smile.
"I'll look forward to it." Scorpius replied. "Give mother my love." Draco smiled.
"I will." Shoving his hands in his pockets, Scorpius father looked down at the floor. "I suppose I'll see you at Christmas, then."
"Christmas it is." Scorpius responded, smiling for real this time.
Scorpius watched his father leave, still baffled at what had just occurred. His father, normally reserved, rather cold man had shown more emotion in five minutes then Scorpius had seen in eleven years. Yet he wasn't angry. He was supportive. Dare he say Proud even.
Anger mingled with fear as Scorpius thought of his grandfather taking out his anger for him on his father. He was frankly terrified at the prospect of seeing his grandfather. He was a powerful wizard, but also one with a grudge. He had been on the receiving end of his wand many of times, and didn't want to be on his end again.
Resignation flowed through his veins as Scorpius realized anything he did that angered his grandfather would mean punishment for his father, possibly even his mother and grandmother if she tried to stop Lucius Malfoy. He knew that he would be punished the next time he saw his grandfather.
Scorpius knew he needed to be careful. He coldnt put his family at risk. That meant making some changes. He felt a slight pang in his chest when he thought of Samantha. She was a muggleborn. The mere idea of him being friends with her would probably give Lucius a heart attach. He knew what that meant, but accepting it was one of the hardest things he'dever done.
Scorpius would have to start acting like a pure blood bigot. The risk of his grandfather finding out and harming his family was too great. Despite how much he longed to be her friend, it would never happen. Scorpius sucked in a deep breath, accepting it with a quiet sigh.
Walking back to the Great Hall to grab his book before heading to History of Magic, Scorpius passed Samantha leaving for the same class.
"Scorpius-" He interrupted her, forcing himself to spit out the words he immediately hated.
"Leave me alone…..mudblood." Scorpius said loud enough for the whole Great Hall to hear.
Authors notes: uh oh. What will happen now.
