Chapter 60

Scorpius led Rose over to the door that stood between him and his father. He took a deep breath, still clutching the redhead's hand, before reaching out for the door handle. "Wait!" Rose said quickly, stepping back a little.

"Why? What is it?" Scorpius questioned as he turned to face her, a tender and concerned expression clearly etched onto his tired face.

"Are you sure you want me to go in with you?" Rose replied, nervously.

"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I?" Scorpius answered with a smile.

"It's just…" Rose went on with unease evident in her voice. "Scorpius, you haven't seen your father in years and this moment is important for both of you. I just feel like having a Weasley present in the room may detour the conversation away from the course it should take."

"I understand," he nodded. "However, you do realise that, with or without you, this conversation was always going to be difficult."

"I just don't want to make it harder than it has to be," she reasoned.

"Okay, I get that," he looped his arms around her waist, pulling her into him, "but please?" Scorpius tried to persuade her hopefully, adding some dramatic flair by pouting a little.

"Being adorable won't change anything," Rose suppressed a giggle, biting her lip slightly, as she slid her hands up his chest to his shoulders. "Besides I don't really want to have him questioning whatever this is when I am not even 100% sure," she continued, looking up at him, hoping she was making sense. "It is still so fresh; I don't need to hear him shutting it, shutting us down before we have really started, all because of my surname," Rose finished with a sigh, now avoiding his gaze.

"You know I don't care about that, right?" Scorpius looked down at her as she nodded her head unconvincingly. Immediately, not wanting to let her think otherwise, Scorpius lifted his hands to her cheeks, tilted her lips up towards his and swooped down to plant a firm kiss on her lips. She made a small squeak of surprise which turned into a light moan as she melted into his kiss. Not wanting to get lost, Scorpius ended the lip lock but didn't withdraw from her. Instead he rested his forehead against hers as they both slowed their breathing.

"Rose, your surname doesn't matter to me," Scorpius whispered into the space between them, "it's you that I care about." He paused for a moment to let his words sink in before continuing. "And no matter what my father says about you or…us, that won't change." The corners of Rose's lips tipped up in a tiny grin, while Scorpius slid his hands down her arms until he clasped both of her hands. "Okay?" Scorpius leaned back as he looked for confirmation.

"Okay," Rose replied, looking up at him and beaming.

"Okay," Scorpius nodded, with a satisfied smile of his own.

"…But I'm still not going in with you," Rose spoke up after a moments silence between the two.

"Argh, come on Rosie Posie," he whined, causing Rose to laugh.

"I'm sorry, Scorpy but you're going to have to face the big bad werewolf yourself this time. Owl me or call me, whenever you can."

"But…but," he stuttered, as she reached up and kissed his cheek.

Scorpius stopped stuttering as he heard her whisper, "Everything's going to be okay," in his ear before she turned around and walked down the hallway. He watched the redhead leave, the smile returning to his face as she turned to blow him a kiss before rounding the corner at the end. His smile faded as he yet again turned towards the door that separated him and his father. Stepping forward, Scorpius again reached out and grasped the handle. He took a moment to gather his courage. "Everything's going to be okay," he muttered, repeating her words back to him, knowing that somehow they would help. Not a moment later, he opened the door and stepped into the room.

"I just can't believe it," Albus exclaimed as flopped down onto the bed, tucking his hands behind his head. "Dom is pregnant and getting married in a month. Wow, we really are getting old."

"So it would seem," Alison muttered as she entered the room from the lounge room carrying a small pile of their freshly folded laundry. She again tried not to feel the jealousy that bubbled in her, as she put away some of Albus' briefs. She was really happy for Dominique and Jacob, but couldn't help but wish it was her.

"Oh, I can't wait until Aunt Fleur finds out," Albus laughed at the thought, oblivious to Alison's feelings at that moment. "That should be interesting," he added sarcastically.

"Not as interesting as when your Uncle finds out about what you told me," she commented, stowing the last of the laundry and joining him on the bed.

"Hmmm…That's true. How do you think he will react?" Albus asked her.

"It could go either way," she replied, as she scooted down to rest her head on his shoulder and wrap her arm around his middle.

"What do you think about it?" he asked. "I mean…it hasn't been long since she broke up with Ben."

"True, but if you think about it the relationship was already over a while ago," she replied. "I am happy for both of them. It's fantastic, isn't it? After all this time, finally they will be… something."

"Yeah, I guess. It's a little weird though," Albus said, scrunching up his face a little and drawing a laugh out of Alison.

"What's weird about it?" she asked, propping herself up by her elbow next to him, looking at him with a smile on her face.

"It's Rose," he answered, in a whining voice.

"So? Rose has had boyfriends before."

"Well, then it's Scorpius."

"There is no doubt that Scorpius has been in…sort of…relationships before," Alison stuttered, thinking of Scorpius' track record with the ladies.

"Fine, then its Rose AND Scorpius," Albus justified. "It's the 'and' that is weird, don't you think?"

"Actually, I think it fits rather nicely," she answered, beaming down at him. "Come on, can't you just be happy for them?"

"I am…sort of," Albus replied.

"Then just try to be, because it is good for them," she reasoned. "Let them find their way, because it is still fresh and not set in stone yet, okay?" Albus just nodded in reply. "Good," she said affirmatively, as she resumed her previous position and Albus turned off the light. They lay like that for a while before Albus spoke again.

"I am sorry about Ray. I can't imagine what it has been like dealing with it by yourself."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Alison said softly.

"It's okay, I forgive you," Albus responded, dropping an arm to wrap around and hold her close. "I have been so distracted lately with work and everything and haven't been there for you as I should have been, making it pretty hard for you to tell me."

"Yes, well, you're lucky you are so handsome, otherwise I would have traded you in for a much less busy boyfriend ages ago," she joked.

"Oh, ha, ha, very funny," he said as he rolled her over and positioned himself above her. "But let's not forget my incredible charm that always keeps you coming back for more," Albus smirked down at her smugly. Alison slid her hands up his body to rest behind his neck.

"Silly me," she said, as she pulled him down to her lips. Surprisingly, neither tried to deepen the kiss; both content to just savour it.

"I want you to know that you can always talk to me about anything, no matter what I will always be here for you," Albus declared as he pulled back, looking down at her beneath him. Alison just wrapped her arms around him, pulling him down into a tight hug.

"I love you," she whispered.

"Everything will work out, I promise," he whispered back before turning his head and softly kissing her neck. "You'll see."

Draco Malfoy slowly lifted his eyes to the entry way at the sound of the opening door. What he saw shocked him into complete silence. There were no words, no words that he could think of that would describe the feelings stewing within him. Before him stood a man, and that in its self was shocking enough as the last time Draco had seen him, he had been but a mere boy. However, the most shocking was the fact that the man that stood before him was his son. Blonde, tall and strappingly handsome with stunning blue eyes, the very same he shared with his mother; there was no doubt that this man was his son.

"Hello Father," Scorpius spoke through tight lips, obviously struggling with what emotion he should be showing. Draco could see the anger and hate flashing in his eyes, but as he looked closer he could also see the concern.

"Hello Son," Draco spoke with a gravelly voice, sore after not having been in use for several hours. "How are you?" he added. The sincere tone and expression threw Scorpius for a bit but he recovered quickly, walking over to stand beside the bed.

"A lot better than you, I reckon," he replied with an attempt at a smile, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

"I would say so," Draco muttered, dropping his gaze from his son for a moment, ashamed. Suddenly, feeling sorry for him, Scorpius tried to lighten the mood.

"You definitely have looked better. Geez, you're getting on a bit, old man," Scorpius teased as he sat down in the visitor's chair beside the bed.

"Doesn't matter, I could still destroy you on the Quidditch Pitch," Draco quipped with a chuckle.

"You're dreamin'," Scorpius muttered with a smile as he shook his head.

"Oh, we'll see about that," Draco countered. "Hey, you remember the last time we played? Your mother was so angry because we wouldn't come in for lunch," he added with a laugh.

"Dad, we haven't played in years, not since I was kid," Scorpius replied seriously, the frustration and anger back in his eyes. Silence spilled over them, both wanting to look at anything but each other.

"Scorpius, I'm sorry," Draco eventually broke the quiet, finally looking back at his grown son.

"Are you really?" Scorpius spat back, choosing to ignore the sincerity his father was showing him.

"Yes, I am," Draco spoke firmly, his voice raising a little. "I have made many mistakes in my life and-"

"And I'm one of them?"

"No, Scorpius you're definitely not a mistake," Draco's voice rose again and he spoke even firmer, subduing Scorpius into listening. "How can you even think that? After all you have done and all you have become; you could never ever be a mistake. What I have done to you and your mother is inexcusable and that is by far my greatest mistake," Draco said emotionally, his eyes glassing over as he held back the tears that were building in his grey eyes.

Scorpius didn't speak, instead his just sat there with his thoughts. A part of him was glad that at least his father felt bad about what had happened, but he wanted to know when his father had started to feel bad. Was it when he left? Was it when Scorpius stuck to his word and didn't write or come home for the next holidays? Was it on the day of his graduation? Was it a year or maybe two later that he had realised what a great mistake it was? Or was it more recently like after his mother had left? The other part of him was wondering whether the potions the healers had given him had made him a little looney, because he has never seen his father let himself be so vulnerable and open.

"When?" Scorpius asked, voicing his thoughts and needing the answers.

"When what?"

"When did you start feeling bad about what happened? When did you realise it was your greatest mistake?"

"Scorpius, that isn't important," Draco tried to brush it off and detour them, refusing to look his son in the eye.

"Just answer the question," Scorpius spoke through tight lips. "Be honest with me."

"Scorpius, I-"

"Dad!"

"Okay!" Draco relented. "Honestly, I started to feel bad when I noticed what I was doing about a year after your grandmother died," he admitted with a defeated sigh. "I just couldn't stop myself, I let my feelings consume me and swallow me up. However, it only really became my greatest mistake when you didn't return from school the next holidays after the fight. That's when it truly sank in," Draco replied again holding back his emotions. Scorpius just nodded in response. He knew that he wanted to know more, but this was good enough for now. "And you have no idea how much I regret it, but I can't change it now, it's done," the older man added.

"You're right, you can't change what has happened now, but you can change what happens next," Scorpius said, drawing Draco's eyes to his. "And you can start with apologising and making it up to Mum," he added, looking back at his father, almost staring him down.

"Easier said than done," Draco said overwhelmed. "Your mother doesn't want anything to do with me."

"That's not true," Scorpius replied. "She is upset and probably angry but as soon as she finds out what happened she'll-"

"Be even angrier?" Draco cut in with a smirk crossing his lips. Scorpius just laughed.

"True, but I was actually going to say that she'll forget all of that and be all over you."

"That is until she deems me okay and then she'll be angry again," Draco commented.

"Yeah, pretty much," Scorpius replied with a chuckle.

"How is she?" Draco asked getting serious again.

"She's okay I guess," Scorpius replied. "I mean, you can tell she is upset but she is getting by."

"Where is she staying? I hope not with Daphne?"

"No, actually she is staying with the Potters," Scorpius said cautiously.

"Oh," Draco mumbled.

"I would let her stay with me but I actually am a bit between places right now," he explained. "Plus the Potter's have room and Ginny and Mum get on surprisingly well." Draco just gave him a tight lip smile; clearly he was trying to be happy for his wife, but failing. "She went for a job interview today," Scorpius went on.

"Really?" Draco questioned.

"Yeah, but with everything that has happened, I don't actually know how it went."

"Only idiots would say no to her," Draco smirked. "She'll get it."

The father and son talked for about an hour, happily sharing stories and catching up on what they had both missed. Scorpius had just finished telling a story about Maxwell and his major failed attempt at chatting up a Russian woman, which ended, at least for Scorpius, rather comically.

"He said that, really?" Draco chuckled.

"I know, hard to believe, right?" Scorpius replied with a grin, as his father continued to shake his head in a very amused fashion. "I don't know why he thought it was a good idea, but that's Max for you. Anyway, he's better now…with talking to women that is," Scorpius continued with a fond smile.

"Good for him," Draco nodded. "So, speaking of women, how are you in that department?" Draco changed the subject, a smirk sliding across his lips. "Anyone special?" Scorpius stared back at his father for a moment, thinking things over in his head, before answering the question with a sigh.

"Yeah, there is…sort of. It's still pretty fresh."

"Well, are you going to tell me what's she like?" Draco asked. Scorpius could see what his father was doing. He was trying to be his mate, his friend, just like he had been when Scorpius was a kid. Problem was, Scorpius didn't know how comfortable he was with this. He never expected it to be this easy, talking to his father again. It shouldn't be but it was. However, it was because they were still avoiding certain topics. It was a little bit like how it was with Rose. They can talk and get along, if they don't cross certain lines. Even though they had definitely moved forward and resolved some things, it still wasn't completely resolute. Now, Scorpius just had to decide whether he wanted to deal with and cross those lines tonight or just enjoy the progress they had made tonight.

"She is…well, she's amazing, in every way," Scorpius decided the save it for another time and enjoy the happiness and joy that he felt at this moment, voicing his thoughts about Rose. "She intrigues me, surprises me; sometimes she can be frustrating and infuriating," he chuckled a little to himself at the thought of their school days. "Most of the time she's smart, confident and strong, but underneath, she's kind and gentle."

"Beautiful?" Draco asked.

"Gorgeous," Scorpius replied, beaming back at his father. "You know, she has this laugh, oh and this smile, that just lights up the whole room and makes you feel all warm inside," he added. "I know how cheesy that sounds but it is the truth."

"You must really like her," Draco commented.

"Yeah, I do," Scorpius affirmed.

"Well, I'm happy for you, son. You have really made a life for yourself: got the girl, got the job, the friends. I'm proud of you…and the choices you have made to get here," Draco said sincerely.

"Thank you, Dad…that means a lot," Scorpius replied with a smile, after a moment of shock at what his father said.

I hope you enjoyed chapter 60.

I didn't quite think Scorpius and Draco were really ready to dig any deeper at this moment in the hospital, but I thought it was still good progress for both of them. However, of course they will have to eventually, just like Rose and Scorpius will to, and when they do it will be intense and fantastic. The next chapter will mostly deal with Hugo and then we will be skipping a couple of weeks.

Please let me know of your thoughts, always look forward to your feedback. Did you like the way the conversation went between Father and Son? What do you think Astoria's reaction will be? What are most looking forward to in the coming chapters?