xiii. Just Another Emotional Summer

Summer

before

Hogwarts Fourth Year

Jemma had a fun time at the Malfoys. Their family were very accomodating and nice. Astoria had been lovely, asking Jemma curious questions about how Muggles live, and had been very nice about it. Draco was as stoic as ever, letting his wife do more of the talking. But beneath that cold exterior of his, Jemma could see the way his eyes lit up everytime Astoria smiled happily, or even pride and joy when Lyarra or Scorpius proudly told stories of their accomplishments at Hogwarts.

Draco had also opened the Malfoy family Library for Lyarra and Jemma to research in. The two had read so many books in delight, gaining new knowledge of spells and charms. Scorpius tried asking them what they were doing, but Lyarra shooed him away saying that they were doing a secret project. At that, Scorpius shrugged and went to do his own stuff.

Eventually, Christophe and Blaise came for the summer and stayed in the guest rooms. Christophe was excited to help them with research while Blaise was complaining about how boring they were, and how he wanted to play Quidditch instead. When he got ignored by the three bookworms, he proceeded to bother Scorpius instead.

Lyarra decided that they could give Albus charmed glasses. Since they were out of Hogwarts and underage, they had asked Draco to charm the glasses for them instead. He had an odd look on his face when he saw the round glasses. It was an old one that Lyarra had found in the attic. She thought it would look good if Albus were to wear it, and Draco had checked that it was not a dark or cursed object, considering of the Malfoy's collection of them. Jemma had pointed out that Draco had looked at the glasses that way because it reminded him of Harry Potter's, and Albus, if he was older, would look like his father.

After their mini project was done, Sarah Parkinson came back from Italy earlier like she said. She visited the Malfoys, and as she flooed through the fireplace, Lyarra could see her father wince. It was the first time Draco had met Sarah, but he must've had bad memories with Sarah's mother, Pansy in their school years.

The five Slytherin had their fun for the Summer. From Quidditch Matches that Blaise had to drag a reluctant Christophe and a bored Sarah to join a 3 v 3 with Jemma, Lyarra, and Scorpius. Jemma, Lyarra, and Christophe were in one team while Scorpius, Sarah, and Blaise were in the other. Lyarra's team won, and it was because of Jemma's mean swing.

That night though, the older teens minus Scorpius were gathering around the fireplace with blankets on, having a sleepover. They told stories about their lives, after stealing some Firewhiskey from the Malfoy's wine cellar.

"Father divorced his third wife," Blaise explained with a shrug, as if it was normal, slurring a bit of his words.

"You don't find that... weird?" Jemma had asked, quite confused by his nonchalance.

"No, not really. Grandmother also went through a lot of divorces as well."

After Blaise shrugged it off, it went on to Sarah's life.

"Mother still talks about Mr. Malfoy all the time." She rolled her eyes. "Or how it all could have happened... But if she said it like that, I wouldn't have been born!" Jemma and Lyarra looked at each other pointedly.

"I wished she'd just... Stop and just talk to me about our daily life instead." She sighed. Both Lyarra and Jemma patted her shoulders in support.

"Well, my grandfather is still keen on the 'pureblood supremacy' thing. He was... A devoted You-Know-Who supporter." Christophe admitted, ashamed. "He still tries to command on mine and father's lives and sometimes they have big fights about it."

It got to Jemma's turn next.

"I'm actually adopted. I have two mothers and they were pretty much surprised when my magic manifested." She shrugged. Sarah and Christophe almost choked on their drink.

"Wow, thank you for telling us after three years, Jemma." Sarah huffed sarcastically, coughing. Jemma defended herself.

"Hey, it had never been brought up, and I never really had the chance to ever really tell you guys... I don't know what your stances are with same sex couples okay," Jemma crossed her arms.

"As long as they are not living reincarnations of the Dark Lord, I'm sure we'd be fine with it." Christophe shrugged, trying to breathe properly. Blaise patted his back for help.

"Are they pretty?" Blaise had the gall to smirk.

"Blaise!" Christophe actually slapped him hard on his arm, "They're like, twice or thrice you age!"

"Well, love is love, am I right?" He winked, and Jemma had giggled at the reference.

Then it got to Lyarra. Her friends were curious on what she would confess. Since the atmosphere of this 'sudden confession night' got livelier by Blaise's joke, she spat out a confession that was surprising and eye-widening.

"I am Hogwarts' 'Anonymous Pranker' that pranked Marvin Flint."

"Ha! I knew it!"

"Blimey."

"Pay up, Nott!"

It was Summer in Grimmauld Place, Home of the Potter Family. James had invited his Gryffindor friends over and was up to mischief.

"Dad says there's a sacred artifact in legendary Harry Potter's possession that could be helpful for our Hogwarts years..." Fred trailed off.

"And what could that be?" Danny asked as he looked up from his book. He also caught the attention of both James and Terrence who was making facrs at each other.

"He said it's... The Marauder's Map!"

James had hummed in thought.

"I think I know where it is..." His eyes trailed off to Harry's office.

"Dad, can we talk?" Albus had approached Harry right after he flooed home. Harry looked back and forth wondering if Albus had wanted to talk to Harry alone.

"Just the two of us?" Harry had asked. Albus timidly nodded. "Alright, let's go to my office," Harry led the way and Albus followed behind. Harry placed a silencing charm, knowing some nosy ears could hear them.

Harry had walked behind his desk and noticed his drawer slightly opened. His eyebrows raised in thought but was snapped out of his thoughts by Albus's cough. Harry closed the drawer and moved his attention to his son.

Albus tried to talk, but everytime he did he ended up sighing. Harry had waited patiently. He knows his second son was not as outspoken as his first (James) and youngest child (Lily). Albus is more closed off, and he's quite independent on his own. And this was the first time, so Harry was patiently waiting for Albus to say something.

"I... I think I am having problems at school..." Albus finally said.

"Oh, are you failing classes?" Harry asked. Albus seemed shocked when Harry had guessed correctly. He felt a slight relief that the two have something in common.

"I used to fail some as well, and one of them is Potions--" He chirped happily, only to be cut off by Al.

"Um, I... I'm actually doing really bad in all of them..." Albus had admitted. Harry's smile fell.

"Al... All of them?" Harry frowned. Al timidly nodded.

"I-I don't know what to do--"

"Is Scorpius Malfoy taking your time to study?" Harry accused, fearing the worst. "You're with him all the time! Is he bullying you?!"

"Scorp? What?! No!"

"Are the Slytherins bullying you?!"

"No--"

"Your mum was right. Those Malfoys are a problem--"

"NO, DAD, NO!" Albus shouted, having enough. Harry was surprised, as Albus never raised his voice before.

"I'M THE PROBLEM! ME! I AM THE PROBLEM!" Albus schreeched, defending his friend. "I CAN'T READ PROPERLY AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS UNDERSTANDING! SCORPIUS HAS TRIED HELPING ME. NOTHING WORKS!"

"Albus--"

"MUM IS MORE PREJUDICED THAN SCORPIUS WOULD EVER BE!"

"DON'T EVER TALK ABOUT YOUR MUM LIKE THAT!"

Albus flinched as Harry stood up and pointed to him, face raging. Albus gets even more heated.

"WHY? I KNOW WHAT SHE THINKS OF SCORPIUS AND THE MALFOYS, THE SLYTHERINS... SHE HATES THEM!"

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BACK THEN--"

"YES, I DON'T KNOW! BUT THIS IS THE PRESENT AND THINGS HAVE CHANGED." Albus ran out of breath. Both of them tried to calm themselves down.

"You told me I was named after the two greatest Wizards that you've known, Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. Snape was a Slytherin! But even I know how you all were disappointed in me because I got into Slytherin. Hell, James ignored me for two thirds of the year because I got into Slytherin," Albus ranted.

"It's not like that, Al--" Harry tried to console softly.

Albus shed a tear.

"I thought I could count on you, dad. I didn't expect you out of all people to tell me to kick Scorpius out of my life." Albus said, disappointed.

"Albus--" Harry tried to talk to him.

"I need some space." He said resolutely, and went out of Harry's office to his room, trying to calm his emotions.

The rest of the Summer at the Potters, Albus spent most of his time in his room, and just staying silent.

Draco sighed as he saw Lyarra's new accessory. Astoria was admiring it while Scorpius said it looked nice.

Lyarra had pierced her helix in Muggle London.

The Slytherin Five had asked Draco, the adult responsible for them if they could go to Muggle London for a day. The kids would have Jemma as their tour guide, and were pretty excited to see the Night Market that was being held.

Draco trusted that they would be responsible (especially Lyarra), and they did behave nicely... But the earring in her daughter's helix was something that Draco had cringed on. It was very permanent on her ear. But Lyarra had proudly wore it and Draco just gave her a pat on the back and said, "Please give your father a warning next time before I have a heart attack,"

Lyarra had gave him a hug and went on to have another sleepover that night with her friends near the fireplace, spending their last night together before each of the guests go home the next day.

Seeing how much fun the kids were having, Astoria had chuckled and said to him, "She's growing up, Draco."

"I know," He sighed.

"Let her enjoy it. Back in our days it was full of war and death. At least our children would live as kids longer than us--" Astoria coughed violently after that. Draco held her gently.

"Astoria..."

"I'm fine, Draco."

"...I'm calling our family healer tomorrow." He said resolutely. Astoria sighed and gave him a wistful smile, "Anything that would make you happy."

Draco smiled back at her, genuine. He gave her a peck on the lips, then they walked hand in hand to their room for the night.

"I am already happy, Astoria. You have given me everything I could've dreamt of." He admitted as they tucked themselves into their bed.

"So do I, Draco. So do I..." She kissed him on his cheek and slept soundly not long after.

Draco watched as she snuggled closer to him for warmth, but let out a slight cough. He pinched the bridge of his nose in stress.

"I hope everything goes well..." He whispered his wish. And with that he turned off the bedlight and drifted to sleep.

And not long, Summer was over, and the fourth year shall begin.

A/N

Hi! Sorry for the long wait. I've been very busy with irl stuff but now I'm slowly updating my stories! I've been through a creative block since September and it sucked. Thankfully it came back! Sorry it took a while. I felt like this chapter is only a filler before fourth year (ooh, something big is going to happen!) starts! Please stay tuned!

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Love.Fiction.2022: Thank you for sticking out so far! Sorry this took a while. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

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