Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in. Everything else belongs to someone else and that's the way it's gotta be.

Chocolate Bonding

Phoenix wasn't sure what it was they'd just been in, it had been like a weird box house that went up and down and all sorts of different ways, but he knew that it had been great fun and he wasn't at all happy that they weren't still in it. The hallway they were currently walking down was really ordinary and nothing special, though there wasn't anyone pinching his cheeks or crowding in on him so that was good. He hadn't liked that one little bit. Looking around, he was hopeful that he'd see another weird box house they could get in and play with, Phoenix was pleased to spot Poofy, who was talking to someone he'd never seen before. Poofy was yelling at the person, but it was okay because the person's colors said he didn't mind Poofy yelling at him. Phoenix could sense he thought it was funny. He didn't get that, but then he got a good look at the person's deepest, truest colors and understood that this person was Poofy's person. The one she was meant for.

Pleased at his discovery Phoenix clapped his hands together and then waved when Poofy looked in his direction and smiled at him.

"So this is the famous Child of Souls, hmm?"

"Daimon."

"Potter. Malfoy."

Waving at Poofy's person as the tall man walked over to get a look at him, Poofy glaring at him lots and lots, Phoenix beamed a smile at the man, who seemed to find him very amusing indeed.

"May I see him?"

"No you may not, Evil Slytherin from Hell!" Poofy told him, before assuring Phoenix's da that her anger was solely directed at Daimon and not him. She liked him and Gabrielle.

"Rose…we're in the Ministry, within shouting distance from your mother's office, and I am well aware that all three of you have been well versed in causing severe bodily harm to people who threaten your family members. On top of that I graduated top of my class for reasons other than the general stupidity of the wizarding race, namely the fact that I actually use my brain enough to know that harming the child would be a monumental mistake. He's simply a magical oddity I wish to look at for a few minutes before returning him. Nothing more."

"What do you think, Phoenix? Do you want to talk to Daimon for a bit even though he thinks you're a magical oddity and that's really rude?" Albus held the boy out towards the Slytherin in question to see what his son would do.

Reaching out for Poofy's person Phoenix was transferred over to the dark Slytherin's grasp after a slight hesitation, the way he was soon being held making it very clear to everyone that Daimon had pretty much zero experience with children and holding them. But Phoenix didn't mind, especially since the man smelled very familiar to him. He smelled like that brown stuff the girls in his life were always eating and telling him he should like because it was the bestest thing ever.

So as he was turned this way and that, and studied like a bug under a magnifying glass, Phoenix decided this man would be known as Chocolate.

Giggling at the thought Phoenix beamed at his new friend Chocolate, who raised an eyebrow in response.

"Curious little beastie, isn't he?"

"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL HIM?!"

Jumping a little as Poofy yelled really loud, and clutching Chocolate's coat just in case he might be dropped, Phoenix didn't know what to do as she crowded in on them, nearly squishing him as she yelled and yelled at Chocolate while his mummy and da told them to give Phoenix back to them. And though he already knew that Chocolate didn't mind that Poofy seemed to yell at him a lot, Phoenix didn't think that was a very nice thing to do to your person. So maybe Poofy didn't know that Chocolate was her person, which meant he needed to tell her because that was important.

"POOFY!"

Everyone went quiet in mid-argument, even Poofy, the girl looking down at him with red cheeks.

"Yes, Phoenix? I'm sorry for yelling." She added, giving his head a stroke.

Reaching over Phoenix patted her chest where her heart was. "Dis Chocolate's'." And then turning back to look at Chocolate Phoenix patted the space above his heart too. "Dis Poofy's. Kay?"

While Poofy made some really weird sounds in her throat, Mummy laughed over 'Chocolate', and his da looked everywhere but at them, Phoenix quickly found the hold Chocolate had him changing so that they were eye to eye, Phoenix thinking that Chocolate had really pretty, very bright blue eyes and he liked them a lot.

"Just so you and I are clear, you're Phoenix." Chocolate pointed at Phoenix, "She's Poofy." He pointed at a glaring Poofy, "And I'm Chocolate?"

Thrilled beyond words that Chocolate understood, no one ever seemed to or they were always calling themselves something different and trying to make him do the same, Phoenix clapped his hands in delight, nodded enthusiastically, and then gave Chocolate a smacking kiss on the cheek for being so wonderful.

"Okay, that's enough."

Phoenix suddenly found himself being plucked out of Chocolate's arms and into Poofy's, the girl cradling him protectively against her chest. "Beat it, Daimon or I'll beat you. Badly."

Chuckling, Chocolate nodded and then gave her a low bow. "Put that way how can I not obey. Until next time, Rose. Potter, Malfoy. And you as well, little one." Reaching out Chocolate gave Phoenix's head a quick pat before off he went.

Frowning, Phoenix looked up at Poofy with a displeased look on his face.

)

"Oh don't look at me like that, you have no idea how evil Sev Daimon actually is." Rose told the little boy, feeling guilty because of the look he was giving her even though she'd actually just rescued him from untold danger. "Come on, Phoenix, quit looking at me like that! Trust me, I have six years' worth of trauma I could relate to you when it comes to how two faced he is. He might have fooled all the other girls and our teachers, but really, he's one of the most twisted Slytherins of this century."

It was pure survival instinct that kept Albus from pointing out that that twisted Slytherin was apparently destined to be Rose's man. He knew how crazy just the mention of Sev Daimon could drive her, so instead he wisely changed the subject entirely, asking what she was doing in the Ministry in the first place.

Cuddling Phoenix close while ignoring the ramifications of what the boy had tried to tell her earlier with true Weasley bullheadedness, Rose rubbed her cheek against the boy's head while muttering an explanation about how her mum had left behind some important paperwork at home. She'd just dropped it off and was heading out when she'd run into Daimon in the hallway.

"Bad luck, that." Albus gave his cousin an awkward pat on the shoulder, everyone very aware that Phoenix was still noticeably put out that his new friend had been chased away.

Very aware of that fact Rosie made a sound of frustration, demanding that Scorpius explained to Phoenix just how messed up Sev actually was so that he would quit looking at her like she was the bag guy in all of this.

Taking his son back Scorpius dutifully looked down and told Phoenix that Sev could be very dangerous when crossed.

"And tell him that Sev and I would make the worst couple in the world and that he would never be interested in dating me. Not in a million years."

Neither Albus nor Rosie missed the look that came into Scorpius's eyes for a moment, a suggestion that he knew otherwise before he deliberately dropped his gaze down to Phoenix, who was giving his da a look that said he wasn't impressed either.

"Scorpius…what do you know?" Eyes narrowing suspiciously, Rosie moved in close to poke a finger into Scorpius's chest threateningly. "Tell me now or I will tickle you. I know that's your ultimate weakness."

"He'd do worse to me."

Knowing that was true, Sev Daimon was not someone you wanted to mess with if you could avoid it, Albus shifted so that he was between the two, turning his body into a shield. "Now, Rose, direct your hatred and ire where it belongs. At Daimon. Positive environments are a must for the sprog, remember? And we're actually here to see your mum, so we better head that way now, right? Don't want to hold her up longer than necessary."

"I will find out what you know, Scorpius. It's only a matter of time."

And with that threat hanging in the air Rosie stomped off with a very female toss of her hair for emphasis.

As soon as she was out of sight Albus turned around. "Alright then, spill it. What do you know?"

"Albus…"

Knowing even better than Rosie how to get Scorpius to spill his guts Albus leaned in and placed his lips against the Slytherin's ear to whisper an incentive. "If you tell me, I'll reward you really well when we get home and Phoenix is down for a nap."

Groaning Albus's name Scorpius flushed pink and noticeably squirmed, especially when Albus began kissing the side of his neck. "This isn't fair!"

Wicked was the best word for the tone of voice Albus used as he pushed just a little bit harder. "Well given how much time we've spent rubbing off on each other it's really not that surprising, Mr. Slytherin."

Whack.

"Not in front of Phoenix!"

And on that note Scorpius marched off down the hallway with Phoenix, Albus rubbing his now rather sore head in surprise before running after his favorite Slytherin, his apologies falling on deaf ears.

That Albus's aunt's secretary gave Scorpius a dirty look at his arrival obviously didn't help the Slytherin's mood either, but Phoenix's presence and then Albus's kept her from being outright nasty, though she didn't care for them just arriving without an appointment either, The Chosen One's son and grandson or not. Like her boss she was a firm believer in both punctuality and schedules, not something blood Weasley and Potters were known for with few exceptions. Luckily for the teenagers Albus's aunt was not only still in her office but so thrilled to see Phoenix that she forgave them for dropping in without an appointment or heads up.

While his aunt made faces at Phoenix and bemoaned the fact that her own babies were all grown up Albus did his best to give Scorpius his best puppy dog eyes and pathetic expressions created for the sole purpose of getting him out of hot water. Given how big a crush Scorpius had on him Albus would have been impressed at how well the blond was withstanding his maneuvers if not for the fact that he was getting the distinct impression he was going to be sleeping alone for a while if he didn't scheme his way back into the Slytherin's good books.

"So what are you two fighting about?" It was amusing to watch the two, especially when face wise they looked so much like their fathers. Draco's son was better looking than his father in Hermione's opinion, the boy obviously possessing an inner calm that gave him a softer, more appealing look. Even when he was pissed.

"Nothing to worry about. I just said something I shouldn't have."

"Especially in front of Phoenix."

"Yeah, that."

Shaking her head over the two of them, though she could see that Al's wise move to admit he'd screwed up had lessened Malfoy's death glare to a slightly cool chill, Hermione opted to help her best friend's son a bit and asked what had brought them by.

"We're here about Tomo, actually. Her Christmas present to be more specific. See Scorpius's mum always gives their house elves extra money as a present, and when I asked my mum she said we've always given Tomo a gift basket with treats in it for Christmas as well as a bit extra on her pay. But she's gone above and beyond for us this year and Scorpius and I were wondering if there's something house elves particularly like getting gift wise. I asked the elves at Hogwarts and not one of them would give me a straight answer since they're still of the mindset that they shouldn't really be paid at all, much less extra for the work they do. We thought you might have a suggestion maybe."

"Well that depends on what you two are planning to do next year, when you're out of school." Seeing their blank looks Hermione smiled as she jiggled Phoenix expertly to get the boy smiling again too. "After you graduate you intend to make Grimmauld Place your home, right?" They nodded. "Then a full time house elf would be a good idea given the size of the house and the fact that you'll have a toddler on your hands. The thing house elves want more than anything? A full time job with a good family that treats them well and appreciates them. So if you want to give Tomo a great present…"

"You think we should offer her the chance to work for us exclusively." A considering look coming over his face, Scorpius actually thought it over while Albus agreed right away that that was a brilliant idea. But after obvious consideration Scorpius nodded as well, agreeing that it would be a good idea, especially when Phoenix and Tomo were already so attached to each other.

"You truly are the most brilliant witch of this century." Leaning in Albus gave his aunt a kiss on her very warm cheek.

)

After their visit with Hermione, she did have to work after all, especially with the Ministry due to close down for the holidays soon, and so eventually her secretary got it through her boss's head that she really did have to say goodbye to them, though it was obviously Phoenix she didn't want to see leave. Reminding her that she'd see them at family gatherings the boys took their son back, Albus's giving her a warm hug goodbye while Scorpius gently returned the gesture when she surprised him with a hug too. And then they were off once again with Phoenix, the boy all but erupting with happiness when they got into the nearest elevator to head back down.

Both smiling over how happy Phoenix now was, Albus saw his chance and slid his hand into Scorpius's, giving it a light tug as he asked if he was forgiven.

"Mention anything to do with S-E-X in front of our son again anytime soon and you're cooking your own meals."

"On my word as a gentleman."

Snorting in response to that, especially given what Albus had said that had put the Gryffindor in the dog house to begin with, Scorpius shook his head and then gave Albus's hand a squeeze in return. "Daimon actually does fancy your cousin. Her baking skills to be more specific."

"Uhm….you've lost me completely. How would he even know about her skills in that area?"

"Remember last year when she had what she called a bake sale to raise money for her latest pet cause?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Well you know his mortal weakness is chocolate, right? Well one of the girls in our house had the thought to buy some of your cousin's brownies and give them to him as a way of worming her way into his affections. He loved them so much it caught on to the other girls that Rose's stuff was a great way to win points with him-basically he ate over half the desserts she made. And since not even potions can compete with his love for chocolate, well he's planning to marry your cousin for her baking skills. He's just bidding his time at the moment until she's done school too."

Jaw all but hitting the ground, Albus found himself completely and totally stunned speechless.

When he did find his voice again, once they'd managed to sneak out of the Ministry and were outside, Albus asked how Scorpius could know this, especially since the two Slytherins weren't related or friends as far as he knew.

"We were roommates for two years. The head of our house thought it best since I wasn't-my roommates didn't really like me and he was prefect and then Head Boy. They figured I'd be better with him and he didn't care. He-uhm-he figured that since I…watched you a lot I'd know stuff about her too. I did tell him more than once that she doesn't like him, but yeah, he sees the world his way." Looking down at their son Scorpius shook his head. "Though if Phoenix is right about them…"

On the same wave length as Scorpius, Albus couldn't imagine a world where his cousin and Daimon could ever live in the same space together, much less be married without killing each other in horrible ways he'd rather not imagine. But Phoenix was supposed to have the inside track on this sort of thing, and this wasn't the first relationship the boy had predicted. Still, he could not see how this was going to work.

"Well if we keep thinking about it our heads are going to explode and then Phoenix will be a very unhappy orphan, so I think we should drop off the thank you cards we have to be mailed first, so that we don't have to carry them around with us, and then we really should get your shopping down before there really is nothing good left in any of the shops."

"Says the Slytherin who's never shopped last minute. There's good stuff still available on Christmas Eve if you know where to look, I'll have you know."

"Yeah, no."

Not about to argue, especially since the sooner they were finished shopping the sooner they could go home, Albus just nodded in agreement, adjusted Phoenix on his hip since the boy was squirming to get down and walk, and then told Scorpius to lead the way.

Wherever he went, he'd follow.