Summary: Scorpius loved learning and wanted to practice some new phrases on a special day.

Rated: K

Genre: Family

Content Tag: Implied/Referenced Terminal Illness

Author's Note: I headcanon Astoria as Greek who moved with her family as a child to the UK.

Translation Guide Because I am awful for doing this.

Na ta ekatostisesis - Greek for "Wishing you many/100 years."

Patéras - Greek for "Father."

Chaméni ypóthesi - Greek for "Lost cause."

Ma chérie - French for "My dear/darling."

A Birthday & A Lesson

Scorpius managed to sneak into Draco's study holding a cake he made and decorated himself (with a little help from his mother, of course). The five-year-old held in a snicker when Astoria crept in behind him and encouraged him to walk closer to the desk.

Draco was too preoccupied with the letter he was writing to notice his family slipping in through the door. Scorpius made sure to wait for the tip of the quill to be off the paper before he took a big breath, sat the cake on the desk and started to loudly sing.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to my Patéras! Happy birthday to you! Na ta ekato—"

Scorpius trailed off, trying to remember the words Astoria had taught him over the past couple of weeks. Draco had sat back in his chair, completely surprised, but with a pleasant smile resting on his face as he gave his son his full attention.

He heard Astoria whisper the phrase again in their son's ear, perking up an almost distraught Scorpius.

"Na ta ekatostisesis, Father!" he stated loudly, climbing into Draco's lap. "I made you a cake all by myself. It's your favorite. Chocolate and coffee!"

Astoria went to sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk, observing their bonding moment.

"Is that so?" Draco questioned, glancing at the lime green frosted cake in front of him before

meeting Astoria's eyes. "It looks delicious. How did you know it was my birthday?"

They hadn't given his birthday a notable devotion since they had Scorpius, so this was a genuine surprise for him. Of course Draco made Astoria's birthday a huge deal, but it was different and more special.

Scorpius smiled mischievously and gave a shrug. "I just know these things."

Draco kissed him on the top of his head. "Ah, of course. Your Greek is quite impressive, by the way. Better than I could ever be."

"Really?"

"I'm what they call a chaméni ypóthesi," he said, to which Astoria rolled her eyes at.

"Your father is hardly a lost cause," Astoria assured, smiling. "His Greek is just fine, don't let him tell you otherwise, alright my Starlight?"

"Okay."

"You flatter me, ma chérie." Draco looked down at Scorpius. "That's French for—"

"My darling," Scorpius translated without a second thought.

Draco laughed despite himself. "Indeed. Keep it up and you'll best both your parents in no time."

Scorpius beamed at the praise and gave his father a tight hug. "I really hope you both live to be a hundred years. That is a lot of cake to share with you both."

Astoria's smile faltered slightly when Draco met her gaze at the comment but quickly regained it when Scorpius turned toward her.

"Let us enjoy this one for now, shall we?" Astoria asked, summoning her house elf, Dizzy, with the plates and a knife to cut into the cake.

"Happy birthday, my love," she said, looking to Draco with saddened eyes.

Originally Written For:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)

Monthly Challenges for All

The Houses Competition

Word Count: 500

Originally Written: May 2019