Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the storyline. Thanks for reading.

Sorry that this took so long, I got hooked on Kingsman: Secret Service really hard…and the HP muses are currently ignoring me for the most part. So yeah, sorry again.

Malfoy Bonding

Lucius Malfoy spent the rest of the time before dinner with Phoenix sitting on his lap, the little boy cuddled up against his great grandfather's chest while the old man's hands firmly held the boy in place. The aging ex Death Eater had also worn an expression that made it clear the boy was staying where he was whenever someone even looked like they might attempt to retrieve the boy from his grasp. And while they would have all braved his wrath if necessary to free Phoenix from the man's clutches, the boy gave no indication that he wanted to be freed as he just snuggled and occasionally patted Lucius's chest in an oddly comforting manner.

Only Narcissa was allowed to touch and speak to the boy, who burbled happily away at her when she stroked his head and asked him if he was all woken up now, the boy nodding in agreement and appearing quite content in his circumstances.

If the other seven people in the room hadn't been in the room to see it for themselves they never would have believed it. It was a Christmas miracle was the general consensus, though none of them dared to say so as they all struggled to talk amongst themselves about something other than Lucius's bizarre behavior.

When Tippy announced that dinner was now served the wizards and witches all got to their feet, Lucius somewhat awkwardly settling Phoenix into the crook of one of his arms as they headed in the direction of the dining room with Phoenix and Lucius's cane the only sounds made.

The place had been completely overhauled since the second war, Draco ordering that every piece of furniture and decoration in this particular room be destroyed as soon as it was his. He'd wanted nothing in the dining room to remind him of the evils that had been done within its walls. And thanks to his wife's decorating skills, and years of good memories to overshadow the bad, Draco often forgot that this was the same room where he'd once watched a Hogwart's teacher murdered and then eaten by a snake.

Still, given the warnings they'd gotten about bringing Phoenix into bad environments Draco had been a little worried about the baby coming into the room, and had been prepared to suggest the boy go off with Tippy during the meal since his grandson didn't eat anyway. But if the boy was so taken with his father, who in his age had taken to wallowing in the past more and more, Draco figured that the only problem they'd run into was the fact that the table settings called for the boy to be as far away from Draco's father as possible without making it terribly obvious.

But Potter's boy was made of the same foolish bravo as his father, Albus coming over to collect Lucius from him once they saw how the table was set up.

"Believe me, he hates being ignored during meals. He won't let you have a bite to eat if he can help it." Albus's smile in Lucius's direction looked genuine, impressing the other Slytherins in the room. "I'll give him back to you after dinner."

A long, drawn out pause greeted that statement, everyone beginning to think Lucius was going to outright refuse to hand the boy over to Potter, but finally he very reluctantly gave the boy back to his mummy, Albus giving him another smile of thanks before heading over to very quickly deposit the boy in the special chair set up between his and Scorpius's seats for Phoenix.

The boy frowned at the table of food, knowing what that meant, but his grandmother had very thoughtfully placed some different sized spoons on the table for him to play with, and so Phoenix was soon distracted making faces at himself in the well polished silver.

Happy giggling was not a sound generally heard at a Malfoy's dinner table, Scorpius and Draco had both learned to be pretty quiet by the time they were toddlers during meals, but no one tried to shush Phoenix as the boy played with the silverware as they filled their plates and then started eating.

"So Astoria says that you boys haven't run into too many problems even with Phoenix adding to your workload so to speak. That's very impressive." Scorpius's maternal grandmother smiled as the teenagers from the other side of the table. "Babies are a lot of work."

"Well it certainly helps that he's not an ordinary kid." Albus informed her with a charming smile. "He's only a real handful during mealtimes and when he's pumped full of excess happiness. Then he runs Scorpius and I ragged. Don't you, Luv?"

Spoon in mouth, Phoenix nodded automatically, sensing that that was the appropriate response.

"And he really won't eat anything?"

"We've tried to get him to try and few things, but he either won't touch it or he spits it right back up."

As if on cue Phoenix started to hum happily around the spoon he'd stuck in his mouth, which mangled the sounds enough that neither Scorpius or Albus were sure which of the boy's favorite songs Phoenix was singing. But either way it was a happy tune, and the boy was smiling, which were the most important things when it came to them being able to get through a meal together.

"He certainly does love to sing, doesn't he?" Smiling at his great grandson, Astoria's father had to admit that the boy really was the most adorable little one he'd ever met.

"Yeah. He loves spending time with my friend Davey, who's teaching him all about music. Scorpius has been introducing him to the classics too, since that's not really Davey's thing. From what we can tell Phoenix likes just about every kind of music there is. That we've had him listen to, anyway. There's plenty that isn't appropriate for him yet after all, right, Buddy?"

Reacting to the wink he got from his mummy, Phoenix laughed around the spoon.

"And who is this Davey person?"

Looking down the table at his grandfather Scorpius answered Lucius's question. "He's a Muggleborn in Albus's house. They're very good friends and Davey is one of Phoenix's favorite people."

Recognizing his parents name for one of his favorite people Phoenix made another happy sound. Though music maker wasn't here, which was sad too. He loved playing with music maker.

"Phoenix spends a lot of time with people from all the houses, actually. Not to mention the ghosts and all the creatures that live in the Forest. Even Mrs. Norris and Filch love him, and they don't like anyone but each other normally." Albus shot his boyfriend's grandparents questioning looks as he asked if Filch had been as bad-tempered when they were at school, as the man would have just been starting out then.

Everyone, even Lucius, took note and appreciated the fact that the lone Gryffindor in their midst had immediately spoken up to try and divert their attention onto himself to spare Scorpius being called on the fact that he let Phoenix hang out with Muggleborns.

And that being the case the great grandparents at the table started to tell their own Filch stories, and Lucius let them without trying to direct the conversation back to who his great grandson was being exposed to.

Frankly Lucius didn't know what the boy had done to him, or continued to do, but the Slytherin felt like he'd been cold for a very long time and had just been allowed to wrap himself up in a warm quilt for the first time. There was something in those eyes, those Potter eyes, and the way the boy had cuddled against him so comfortingly that made him unable to speak harshly or even give his grandson a look for exposing his great grandson to the lesser in the Magical World. Because he'd read, like everyone else, that negative emotions and actions caused Phoenix harm. And Lucius found, to his surprise, that he could not do that to the innocent child who played with spoons and sang nonsensically while continuing to give off a warmth Lucius was helpless not to bask in. Even if it would technically be for the boy's own good.

)

As a result of the effect the youngest member of the family had on everyone else dinner went pretty well, Phoenix lasting until dessert was served before he started to fuss and squirm hard in his seat as the toddler demanded that he be let out of it immediately. So Albus and Scorpius took turns holding him so that they could both finish what was on their plate, though in the end Scorpius ended up holding Phoenix the longest since Albus was the one with the serious sweet tooth and the bottomless stomach. After that it was time to open up the small mountain of presents situated under the huge Christmas tree, the majority of the presents slated for a wide eyed Phoenix.

Scorpius had expected them to overdo it as he'd been spoiled plenty when he was a child, and he'd warned Albus beforehand just to go with it, but even he hadn't expected this big a haul for their only child. But they'd donate what they could cull from the many presents Phoenix was going to get for the holidays, Scorpius knew, and donate them to children who wouldn't be getting much this holiday season for whatever reason. As it was they'd already done that with a number of things Phoenix had gotten from the Wizarding World, especially since they'd had numerous duplicates of the same popular children's toys.

But first the presents had to be unwrapped, the older family members taking seats around the tree while Scorpius and Albus sat cross-legged in the floor with Phoenix between them, taking turns bringing the boy new boxes to rip open with typical toddler glee.

And every sticky bow ended up being slapped onto the boy's fine blond hair, all of them drooping and barely hanging off the strands. Since it was Phoenix who wanted them there no one tried to stop the boy from attaching the bows, though it did insure that all the pictures his grandmother was taking made him look utterly ridiculous in an adorable way.

It didn't take long either, before Phoenix was surrounded by bear themed clothes, toys, and stuffed animals, as well as the other usual toys that one would typically give someone Phoenix's age. There were also a few things that weren't exactly appropriate for a small child, but they were keepsakes that old wizarding families tended to pass down the line, and were a sign of Phoenix's acceptance into the Malfoy family.

Thankfully Albus sensed that, and didn't comment over the signet ring, engraved athame, or the books Phoenix was too young to even read yet about the history of his da's family and the Slytherin house. Though the Gryffindor did put those items well out of the boy's grasp, just in case Phoenix tried to get any of his chubby fingers on one of the potentially dangerous items.

But the fates were shining on them at the moment, and Phoenix was mostly just interested in the bear stuff he was getting, as well as the records his grandparents had gotten him since Scorpius's letters had always been full of comments about how much Phoenix loved music.

Losing all interest in his presents when he caught sight of the familiar round disks that, when put in his favorite machine made music for him, Phoenix shrieked in glee and then demanded that they be played, jumping up and down in eager anticipation.

So soon they had music playing, Phoenix dancing around the room to the music with absolutely no interest in the rest of his presents. This led to the adults turning their attention to the small amount of presents that weren't for the toddler. Or they tried to, since the boy was pretty distracting as he shook his little bum and waved his hands all about in his little interpretive dances.

With a smile on his face Scorpius assured the rest of his family that he and Albus had every intention of enrolling Phoenix at Madame Hazelett's Finishing School for young Witches and Wizards when the boy was old enough. So that he'd learn how to dance properly.

"Though I'm guessing he'll still put his own spin on the moves." Shaking his head, Albus had to admit that it would be a shame if Phoenix lost his exuberance for dancing, even though it would probably be safer for those dancing around the boy if he used less jazz hands.

Having accidentally opened one of Phoenix's presents by mistake, as she'd been paying more attention to her grandson than she was what she was doing, Astoria smiled at the teddy bear backpack her mother had bought for Phoenix and then called out to the toddler, showing him what she had for him.

Making a thrilled sound Phoenix hurried over, delighted by the present. And letting his grandmother slide the straps around his arms so that he was wearing it, Phoenix then proceeded to spin in circles as he tried and failed to get a better look at his newest accessory while the adults all laughed or chuckled a little at his antics, as was the case when it came to the two more reserved members of the Malfoy family.

It was five minutes later, as Phoenix's attention shifted back to the music and the rest of them to the presents and the thank yous said presents required, that Lucius spoke up, and to Albus of all people.

"I read somewhere that your father believes that the Sorting Hat will take one's desires into account when it comes to placing students into their houses at Hogwarts. Is that correct?"

Surprised to be addressed by the man, especially in a courteous manner, Albus was similarly polite as he replied that yes, his father knew from experience that the Hat would listen if the person he was placing wanted to be in a certain house, or avoid one. Why did he ask?

"So it would be possible for the boy to ask to be put in Slytherin."

Grinning, Albus saw where Lucius was going with this, namely that the only way someone with Phoenix's personality and basic nature would ever get into Slytherin was if there was a loophole where the Sorting Hat was concerned. And Malfoys were always Slytherin, just as his own family slated for Gryffindor.

"If Phoenix wants to be put into Slytherin when it's his time than yeah, it's more than likely that his preference would be taken into account. Especially since he's already made friends with the Sorting Hat as it is."

"Good."

Sharing a look, Albus and Scorpius both predicted that the latter's grandfather would be doing a lot of bribing where Phoenix was concerned to get their son to try his best to get into Slytherin when the time came.

Though oddly enough they both also thought to themselves that Lucius would probably be okay with it even if the boy ended up in Hufflepuff, as the two teenagers turned their heads to watch the man in question smile ever so slightly as he watched Phoenix pretend to dance around the room with one of his new stuffed animals.

)

It was shortly after nine when they arrived back at Grimmauld Place, Scorpius heading immediately upstairs with Phoenix, who was fast asleep and didn't stir for a moment as his da undressed him, put him into his pajamas, and then tucked him in for the night. While Scorpius handled that Albus put away both the presents they'd all been given and the food Scorpius's mum had insisted they take home with them even when they'd protested the idea. That they'd no doubt get loads of leftovers from Albus's immediate and extended family…well it was a good thing he ate a lot. Plus maybe they'd have some friends over at some point, pawn some of the stuff off onto them. Once everything was put away Albus did a quick circuit of the house to make sure that they were good for the night, just to be safe, and then headed upstairs to find out what Scorpius was up to.

The blond was sitting cross legged on Albus's bed wearing his only his trousers, having already put away the rest. It certainly boded well for the rest of the evening, Albus thought as he enjoyed the view, especially since he'd been hoping that it would end with the two of them naked in one of their beds.

"He's out for the night, I don't think he'll even find the energy to get up and climb into his box."

"Well he danced until he couldn't dance any more." And when he'd reached that point Phoenix had drowsily wandered over to Lucius and had held out his arms to him, the toddler spending the rest of the evening until they left passed out in the old man's arms.

And thinking about that Albus walked over to Scorpius and leaning down brushed his lips over the blond's. "It went really well, didn't it?"

"He's amazing. Phoenix. He wrapped my grandfather around his chubby little finger." Cocking his head to the side, Scorpius gave Albus a questioning look. "What did my grandmother want with you? When she waved you over just before we left, while grandfather was distracted by Phoenix."

"She gave me a Christmas card. For her sister."

Surprised but pleased, Scorpius smiled as he stated that this was just a night for Christmas miracles, wasn't it?

"Of the best kind." Albus agreed, setting first one knee and then the second on the bed, straddling Scorpius's thighs while cupping the other teenager's face between his hands.

Sharing slow, deep kisses without a hint of hurry as the enjoyed the simple pleasure of each other, Scorpius eventually reached between them to first undo Albus's tie, and then went to work on the dress shirt's buttons.

Shrugging his shirt off once it was undone, Albus happily fell down onto the bed with the Slytherin underneath him, the two rolling around a little as they remained wrapped up in each other's arms, snogging and stroking each other's bare skin as they did some celebrating of their own.

A Happy Christmas indeed.