Much to the surprise of Scorpius Christmas break was not as bad as he had feared it would be even with the usual festivities of Christmas day lost for the first time since he could remember. His father had busied himself in work and was gone before daylight was even roused. He had pretty great gifts as a Malfoy would but the mood of the holiday had been drained the minute Scorpius entered the mansion.

It had been nearly the entire three weeks of holiday and even though he was disappointed that his father hadn’t really had much to do with him since he returned home. He had expected his father to be angry specially after the howler he had received but no the reaction was emotionless, cold, and at times disgusted his father avoided him and when he couldn’t be avoided he was looked down on like a filthy muggle and ignored. But the peacefulness of his forced invisibility was about to take a drastic change.

Scorpius was in his room packing the last of his things for the return to school when there was a soft pop and house elf appeared. “Master Malfoy would like a word with the young sir in the parlor.”

“Me but… Okay” he said as he stopped packing and nodded as he made his way from his bedroom downstairs.

Scorpius nervously made his way down the staircase, his left hand glided smoothly over the long elegantly hand-carved, natural rich chocolate colored surface of the African Wenge wood of the banister. He was hesitant when he entered the antique Victorian decorated parlor; scared what his father was going to say to him in the wake of returning to school. His mum didn’t look up from the letter she was writing at the desk in the corner and nor did his grandmother’s eyes shift from the needlework she was busying her self with. The room was so quiet he was sure he could hear d the soft scratching of his mothers quill on the parchment.

Scorpius looked up and his eyes met the cold steel blue eyes of his father. He had the same steel tinted irises and found himself wondering if his eyes had the same coldness to them. He watched as his father folded the paper he had in hand and placed it down before he spoke.

“It is beyond me, Where your mother and I went wrong with you “Draco said “There apparently can’t be anything done to put you where a Malfoy should be that headmaster is just as stubborn and senile as Dumbledore”

Astoria looked up at her husband her expression clearly showing that she did not agree with the comment how ever she remained silent this was a discussion between Scorpius and his father.

“You have disgraced this family not only by being in Gryffindor! But by associating with traitors and half blooded filth like Weasley and Potter’s children! It’s disgusting. You’re a Malfoy and you WILL act accordingly even if you are in Gryffindor! Your Grandfather would turn in his grave if he knew you were befriending that...that FLITH!!”

“DRACO!!!” Scorpius jumped at the firm tone his usually soft spoken grandmother had with his father. “Your father was foolish! He only followed the Dark Lord out of Greed and Fear! I had hoped better from you but I see your father’s corrupt loyalties have influenced you far greater than I have and I take the responsibility for that and it is about time you know the truth.”

“Truth? W-What truth?” Draco asked his eyes met his mother’s glare and he looked as if he were a naive first year again.

Narcissa sighed. “You are as big a fool as your father.” Her tone softened to normal. “Draco when you decided to stay in the castle that night the Dark Lord considered you a traitor he ordered your death that night. I made a choice as any mother would have and I will never regret it even in your blind ignorance. I only thought to save you which is why when in the forest the night of the final battle when I was given the task to check if Potter was still alive I denied the Dark Lord the truth.”

“You betrayed the Dark Lord!?” Draco hissed with a look of disgust. “My father died in Azkaban because of YOU.”

Narcissa’s soft grey eyes flashed with anger at her son’s tone and accusations. In that flash of anger the back of her hand came into hard contact with his cheek. Scorpius stared wide eyed as he witnessed his grandmother slap his father. “DON’T you EVER!” She snapped back. “You have No IDEA the consequences I have dealt with since that night Draco don’t you dare blame me. I did what I had to do to save my child else you would have died as well!”

“W- What?” his hand still touching his reddening cheek. He’s expression was blank. Scorpius wasn’t sure if it was from the bewilderment of her words or the fact that she had actually hit him. Probably both…

“In exchange for me telling the Dark Lord Harry was dead. He told me of your whereabouts in the castle so I was able to find you first. So weather you like it or not Harry Potter saved your life as well as everyone else’s Draco. Accept it or don’t that is up to you. But deny your son True friendship is the worst mistake you could ever make. Think long and hard would you trust his life in Potter’s hands or with one of that fellow Slytherin’s you chose to still call friends?”

Draco glared hard in thoughtful angry silence not blinking as his mother held his gaze. He was the first to break when he cast his gaze to the floor and inhaled a deep defeated breath. He didn’t look at his son as he walked past Scorpius to the desk where Astoria was now sitting still silent watching the events unfold before her. Draco pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the top drawer of the desk. He stared for a couple minutes with out a word before he reached in and pulled out a stack of envelopes that was tied together in a bundle with a length of twine. He carried them as he walked towards Scorpius he paused only to shove the bundle of letters into Scorpius’ hands before he stood rigidly straight and walked out of the parlor and disappeared down the hall into the solitude of his study. Scorpius looked at the envelope on top it was a letter addressed to him from Albus he flipped through them there was more from Albus along with a bunch from Rose too. He smiled at his grandmother who returned the smile before Scorpius hurried back upstairs to read his letters.

“Can you believe the homework we have in potions?” Albus complained as they made their towards the Great Hall for dinner. “We haven’t even been back from holiday a full week yet.”

“It’s not that bad Al.” Rose said “It’s just an essay.”

“It might as well have to be a novel.” He grumbled crossing his arms he looked to his left when something in the shadows of a statue caught his attention. “Ewww.” He said making a face.

“What?” Scorpius asked as He and Rose looked the direction Albus was scowling.

“Ugh.” Scorpius made a face along with Albus when he saw them kissing.

Rose just giggled. “I think they make a cute couple.” Rose said.” And I know Jemma really likes him I heard her talking with some older girls a few days ago.”

“You would you’re a GIRL.” Albus wrinkled his nose as the sight of his brother and her. “Gross.” He mumbled.

Rose glared.” You’re a dork Al.” she huffed.

“It’s not that big of a deal is it...? I mean “if they want to swap germs that’s them right... let’s get to dinner.” Scorpius said hating when Rose and Albus bickered and huffed over silly things.

“I guess.” Albus said as they made there way down the hall.

“Especially if they really like each other.” Rose said barely loud enough for anyone to hear.

Scorpius blinked and turned to Rose when he heard her whisper. “Huh?” He asked as butterflies filled his stomach.

Rose blushed and looked at the stone floor. “Nothing.”

Scorpius looked at her trying to figure out what she was blushing about for a minute before he brushed it off. But the butterflies remained.

“I thought you were hungry.” Albus asked.

“I... Don’t think I am anymore.” Scorpius stared at his plate.

“Are you sure your okay Scorpius.” Rose asked she put her hand on his and blushed. “Do you want to go see the nurse?”

“I… uhh.” The butterflies intensified almost to the point of being nauseating. He pulled his hand away from Rose. “Just not hungry now...” he said.

“It was James in the hall wasn’t it?” Albus asked “See I told you that was disgusting.” Albus made a face.

“Yeah probably.” Scorpius lied he seriously doubt what ever had come over him had much to do with Al brother and his girlfriend but he couldn’t tell Al that. It was Rose something about expression on her face when they had seen them kissing. His stomach did a somersault and he got up. “I think I’m going to go back to the common room. “

“Want us to-“Rose started to ask.

“No!” he said quickly hurrying out of the Great Hall.