Unspoken Love

49: HOME

June 27th

"Are you sad you're leaving this place for good?" Albus asked aloud. He was perched on the Malfoy's kitchen island, stacking plates and silverware into a storage bin beside him. Draco stood on a footstool, reaching all of the high places, collecting his favorite cups, mugs, and fine china.

"Kind of." Draco and Scorpius answered in unison. Scorpius was sitting cross-legged on the floor a few feet away, scribbling labels on the many cardboard boxes around him. The three of them had managed to pack up the living room already, which had been a breeze. The library, however, took hours as Draco insisted his collection of books be packed away neatly, organized, and precariously labeled. They'd started the packing process at 6am that morning and it was nearing 10am.

"Personally," Draco drawled, "I can't wait to leave. Of course, I will always treasure the memories I have here with Scorpius and Astoria...but they aren't this house. I don't need to be here to remember those times. And there are far more bad memories here anyways." He shuddered slightly, "Plus the drab decor here is positively alarming and unforgiving." he said, earning a chuckle from his son who nodded in agreement. They had never liked the darkness of the manor or the fact that they couldn't change it. Scorpius frowned towards his father, he had only heard vague details about what he endured during his childhood...and even that was enough to conclude that he couldn't bear to hear anymore.

"Your new place seems like a dream." Albus said, rounding to the coffee maker that they had conveniently not packed up yet. He began brewing three cups worth, they were going to need it.

"Oh," Draco said, a faint smile already playing on his lips, "It's perfect." He now owned a seaside cottage in one of the many wizarding communities in England. It was a smaller sort of town, quiet, like Draco always wanted. Somewhere he could live out his retirement, receive his grandchildren on the weekends, and stroll the streets in the morning amongst the cool sea air. It was a slim, tall, Victorian style home, squished between several others that looked just the same. He'd chosen a beautiful sage colored one with white and dark green trim, he loved green after all. Though the very best part was the library room.

"Shelves floor to ceiling," Draco was explaining, gazing off as if he could see it now, "And a rolling ladder. With stained glass windows and velvet sofas and a fireplace..." he trailed off, sighing happily as if he could feel the warmth of the flames in his memory. Albus couldn't help but smile as he and Scorpius exchanged looks, they knew that Draco deserved this. They knew he would be content, finally.

"We'll be awaiting our dinner party invitations." Albus said, earning a large smile from Draco, as if to say 'already sent'.

"I'm sort of sad to leave," Scorpius piped up, looking around the kitchen, "Just because this has been home for me since I was born. But...I am ready for you, dad, to leave. And you and I," he turned to Albus, "To get settled in our new home." he smiled before turning to tape up one of the boxes.

"We could've just used magic for all of this." Albus said, pouring their coffees. Draco scowled at him.

"Where is the fun in that? Plus, I'm not taking all of this with me. I needed to sort through, see what was most important. I've already bought mostly new stuff for the new place." he said, glancing at the living room which was still full of their furniture, most of which had been magically nailed to the ground. But he didn't want it anyways.

"Speaking of," he turned to the boys, "My wedding gift to you both...more like my wedding request," he smiled, "I will pay for the full refurbishing of the manor." he was speaking of the France manor, the manor he'd already so graciously given them for free.

"Dad, no," Scorpius said, shaking his head, "Your gift was the manor. We can't let you pay for the furniture too. It's too much."

"Please, I insist," Draco pushed, "I have too many riches sitting in Gringotts bank for me to ever use in this lifetime. You know what, think of it as your grandparent's wedding gift to you." He said, recalling that most of the untouched money in his vault was his inheritance from his parents.