Competition/Challenge Block:
Written for/Stacked with: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Term 12); Monthly Challenges for All (Year 3)
House: Ravenclaw

Term (Assignment): Term 13 - Assignment 2
Subject (Task): Archeology: Noteworthy Finds Task 3 (Write a fic that features another language (Braille, sign language and such are all acceptable).
Other Hogwarts Challenges: IPC: 51 (Premature); 365: (63 - Crestfallen); Auction (D3A4 - Quote); Pinata (Medium - Auror); Seasonally; Writing Club; Writing Month; Dragon Bredding

Other MC4A Challenges: Shipping Wars (Stellar Legends - Baked Goods); Chimera Creator (Theme/Trope - Protector); Scavenger Hunt (Dim Sum); Fireworks (Adventure Writer); Community Garden (Chore List - Hugging); Summer Bingo (4D - Grey)
Representation: Deaf Scorpius Malfoy; Supportive Malfoys; BSL; Beauxbaton Bound
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenges: Lyre Liar; Muck & Slime; Second Verse (Unwanted Advice; Spinning Plate; Nightingale; Middle Name; White Dress; Persistance Still; Ladylike; Not a Lamp); Chorus (Tomorrow's Shade; Mouth of Babes; Machismo; Bee Haven)
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenges: O3 (Orator; Oath)

Word Count: 1,930 (Per GDocs)

Author's Note: Sign language is used and described in this piece. Tags such as "said/asked" are used and descriptions of hand movements are made because it is how any other language is described with tonal queues and tagged in written form as well.

Summary: When Scorpius receives his letter to Beauxbaton, Draco has second thoughts on having his son attend a formal school.

Rated: K

Genre: Family

Warning Tag: N/A

You can't lose something you never had.

- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

To See is To Hear

It was no secret that the birth of Scorpius was what Draco would call a blessing that graced his and Astoria's life. Not many could say they personally delivered their own child, after all, but it didn't come without its own new set of challenges. Though he was two months premature, there was something special in the fact that Scorpius chose to be born on the Winter Solstice. Despite the developmental setbacks Scorpius had to face as a result, he had shown them he was truly a fighter.

Draco had seen that kind of spirit out on the field, a rare sight, but something he recognized regardless. Being an Auror Medic had its intense moments from time to time, but it helped humble him in a way. He dealt with a lot of muggles, even tended to them on occasion before they were oblivated, giving him a new perspective and outlook on their world.

Astoria was the one who encouraged him to train under her mother to become a healer, and despite his bluntness and lack of bedside manners (though it was effective toward stubborn ministry employees and aurors), he took to it like a duck to water. It certainly was better than any office job at the Ministry, even if he still had a desk there with his name on it. It was what first revived his place in a post-war society. He even went so far as to practice some muggle methods, a feat that so few chose to do, to better his practice and himself.

When it was confirmed that Scorpius's hearing was never going to develop at his sixth month check up, it didn't stop Draco in researching the muggle alternative offered to them to teach their son and themselves to communicate. He found it fascinating that something like sign language existed and was invented by muggles. It was like magic in and of itself, developing a language, and it would be a crime to discredit their brilliance behind it. Instead, it made him grateful and yet ashamed for how little he used to think of them.

Despite making sure that Scorpius grew up never knowing the lack of hearing was an obstacle for him, Draco still looked for other ways to better help his son. By the time it was Scorpius' eighth birthday, he had long since given up the search when the only thing he found would possibly alienate his son even more. It was a muggle device that not only required surgery, but also an entirely different thing to learn and adapt to. Not to mention that being around magic would likely ruin it anyway, it wasn't a risk he wanted to take.

With the years of being able to teach Scorpius to sign, lip read, and having a tutor to help him learn nonverbal magic were privileges Draco could still access with the influence of his wealth, but it soon became clear that allowing Scorpius to attend formal school was going to be one of the biggest challenges to date for him. Draco wasn't sure how he felt about that, and it sat heavily on his mind.

"Draco?" the soft, velvety voice of Astoria pulled him from his thoughts.

It was late, and Draco was held up at his boss' office to finish up the reports that came in from ministry accidents that day while Healer Greengrass—his mother-in-law and former mentor—took an early day to celebrate her anniversary. Astoria entered the office holding up a steamer basket in one hand and a thermos in the other.

"I brought you supper along with some news," she continued, placing the meal in front of Draco before taking a seat. She pulled a letter from her purse and held it up. "I thought we could open it together."

He saw the high quality parchment that made up the envelope. It's soft tinted blue shimmered in the light as it moved in Astoria's hand screamed Beauxbaton before he laid eyes on the soft blue wax seal with its coat of arms embossed on it.

"Scorpius' letter," was all he said.

Astoria's smile faltered some at the lack of enthusiasm in his tone, but decided to busy herself by preparing the tea instead.

"I've thought about this a lot lately and…" Draco swallowed, laying the envelope down, "I think it'd be better for him to learn from home."

A scoff was the only response he got, and he couldn't bear to look Astoria in the eye when he accepted the tea cup.

"We've talked about this, Draco. Beauxbaton is the best option for him. His only friend is going there, it will do them both good to have each other while they start this new adventure. He needs structure and a world outside of our own to experience," she reasoned. "We cannot allow something we refused to make an obstacle become one now. Scorpius is more than capable of thriving and adapting."

"And what if no one accepts him? If not for the name he bears but for something everyone else takes for granted?" Draco countered, abandoning the dim sum to comb his fingers through his hair.

"As his parents, these things will always be something we worry about, but we can't allow them to hold our son back." Astoria reached for an arm, giving it a squeeze. "Perhaps we should simply ask what Scorpius would want instead of assuming for him? But I'm sure you and I both know what he will say."

Draco nodded slowly, knowing that it was the best course of action. She always knew how to reason with him when he got like this, and he knew she was right in needing to include Scorpius with something essentially changing his very life.

"Okay." Draco pulled her hand up to kiss her knuckles, finally looking at her fully since she first came in. "Thank you for supper. I'm sorry for being late."

"Don't worry about that. Trust me, my mother was over the moon at your offer." Astoria nudged the steamer basket when he released her hand. "Eat, you will feel better. And don't work too late, Scorpius wanted to share something with us."

She leaned in to kiss Draco, hovering just a moment to whisper, "I think he lost another tooth."

Draco found himself hiding in his home office the following evening, bringing a lot of work home with him to use as an excuse to try and avoid the conversation with Scorpius attending school. He should have known that Astoria knew his tactics by heart now, so it wasn't long until Scorpius entered and came to sit in front of Draco with a look of determination on his face.

He leaned forward some, giving Scorpius his undivided attention, but before he could ask a question, Scorpius placed the pale blue parchment on the desk.

"I really want to go, Father," Scorpius signed, "Mum said they're the best, and I have been practicing my French with Aster, who is also going. It isn't too much different from what I already know, honestly. I'll have a tutor and everything."

"That isn't the problem," Draco replied, visibly sighing, "I am worried about things outside of our control. About it not meeting your expectations. I don't want you to be disappointed or upset."

Scorpius' shoulders dropped, crestfallen. His gaze fell to the letter written in French before him. Draco gently waved a hand in his line of sight to get his attention again, grey eyes locking briefly.

"I know your mother has arranged everything with the school to help you find your footing there, I just want to make sure that you are prepared for things to not be what you expect," Draco continued, making sure to clarify what he meant.

Scorpius pointed at his ear aggressively. "It is because I cannot hear, you think I cannot handle it. That is unfair, Father."

Draco motioned to decline the accusation, but Scorpius continued to sign quickly in aggravation, finding the lack of trust and faith from Draco disheartening. It was difficult to register what he was saying, but he knew that it was misplaced anger.

After Scorpius essentially yelled at Draco, the frustration drained from his son's face and he slumped back in his chair, defeated. Draco felt utterly horrible at the implications placed behind what he said, something he didn't think Scorpius would catch. He was very wrong, and he should have known better.

Draco rubbed his forehead, distressed by the conversation. Scorpius was looking away with his arms folded in front of him, making sure that he showed he was not happy. Draco waved a hand again, making sure that Scorpius was paying attention before gesturing to drink from an invisible cup. Scorpius sighed in exasperation before nodding, though he made a point to continue to keep himself turned away from Draco.

Dizzy appeared moments later with a tea tray, signing to Scorpius that she brought his favorite baked goods with her before giving him a pat on the arm and leaving. Scorpius grabbed one of the jammy dodgers and already prepared a cup of tea, still ignoring Draco.

After dressing his own tea, Draco let out a soft sigh as he watched Scorpius all but scarf down the treat. Dizzy always knew how to ease the tension in a room or comfort a distraught Scorpius. He decided to move from his desk chair to the one beside Scorpius to be closer, grabbing the letter in the process. Placing a hand on Scorpius' shoulder, he got his son's attention again and handed him the letter.

"I will always want you to be the best you can be, and you know that I do not or ever will find your lack of hearing a problem by any stretch of the word," Draco signed slowly, wanting to show emphasis where it mattered. "I know it will never hold you back. Do not let others show you otherwise, either."

He could already see Scorpius' face light up at the realization, but he continued with his statement.

"Remember to always take it slow and you will do great. I know you can do anything you put your mind to and succeed. But if you get there and you don't think you can handle it, do not be afraid to tell us. There is no shame in that, and we will always be proud of you."

Scorpius smiled brightly, taking the letter, he touched his fingers to his lower lip and motioned it forward and downward, Draco repeated the gesture.

"We have nine months to get ready, how is your French penmanship?" Draco asked after a long embrace.

Scorpius flattened his hand and motioned it back and forth in the air like a rocking boat before shrugging it off and adding that his Chinese calligraphy is better. Draco chuckled at that, knowing that he was also rusty at both. Astoria was far better at maintaining Scorpius' writing practice than he had been, but there was no harm in fixing that.

Scorpius put his tea cup back on the tray and made to get up before Draco grabbed his attention again. Holding up his right hand, Draco kept his two middle fingers against his palm while holding up the other three. Holding it for a moment, he then placed his closed fist over his heart, smiling softly.

Scorpius stole another hug from him before signing, "I love you, too." back.