Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (challenges & assignments)

Archaeology - Task 4 - Write about a funeral

Raised a Good Son

Harry turned Albus to him to straighten his navy blue tie and the collar of his shirt.

'Thanks for bringing me, Dad,' Albus said quietly, pushing his hand away when he tried to flatten his dark hair. 'Why do you even try?'

'Not sure,' Harry said vaguely, the hand now going to his own hair.

They stood by the door of a small church, watching a small gathering of people mill around the path; waiting. Harry didn't know many of the people in attendance, but he'd promised his son he would do this for him. He'd felt a deep shame that Draco had had to beg to allow Albus to come, for the sake of Scorpius. The man was in mourning and he'd let an old grudge take over his son's life.

Albus shifted from foot to foot, a hand pulling at his tie, as people kept looking over at Harry. He gently pulled at Albus' hand, keeping a firm hold of it in his. 'I'm sorry they're staring, Al.'

'It's fine.'

It wasn't. He could hear it in his son's voice.

The small crowd started parting a little as Draco walked up the path with his son tucked into his side. Scorpius' face was red and his eyes watery, but when they landed on Albus, a sigh of relief could clearly be seen leaving him.

'Go be with him, Al. He'll need you today.' Harry gently gave Albus a nudge. 'I'll be at the back if you need me.'

Albus nodded, not needing telling twice. Harry watched him walk quickly to him, the two embracing tightly. Draco came to him, hands shoved in his trouser pockets.

They held each other's gaze for a few seconds, grief swimming in Draco's eyes. 'Thank you. He needed him here.'

Harry gave him a small smile. 'I am sorry for your loss.' He looked to the two boys, huddled together, Albus whispering to Scorpius. 'If you ever want us to take Scorpius for a while … or Albus could stay with him …'

'You'd trust him to be safe in my home?' There was no malice. Only pain talking.

Harry let out a small sigh. 'Yes, Draco. I would,' Harry answered firmly. 'He's a good boy. You've raised a good son.'

Harry could see the muscles in Draco's jaw twitching. He breathed in deeply through his nose, swallowing as he did, but Draco couldn't hide the tears appearing. 'It was all Astoria,' he whispered, barely choking back a sob.

Without even thinking, Harry clasped Draco's shoulder reassuringly. 'I'm sure she wouldn't have married you if she didn't think you were a good person.'

Draco nodded, visibly swallowing again, and wiping away a stray tear as Lucius Malfoy stepped out of the church. He looked down his nose at Harry, disdain in his eyes for a moment. 'Need any assistance finding a seat, Mr Potter?'

Harry dropped his hand from Draco's shoulder. 'Don't worry. I'll be in the back. Making no noise.'

Other Prompts Used:

- Build a comic - Origin Story - 2. (plot point) Funeral

- Geek Pride - 73. Umbrella Academy - Prompt 2 - (setting) Funeral

- Brand Wars - 3. Nightwing - (word) assistance, (colour) navy blue, (character) Scorpius Malfoy

Spring Quarterly

56. Abu Dhabi - (word) Attendance

May Writing Club

- Angel's Archives - 4. Hedwig - (character) Harry Potter

Word Count: 498