Dad Says (Harry X Draco)

Chapter 5

Malfoy sprang up from the sofa and threw himself around Scorpius.

"How was it? How were they? Are you all right?"

"Teddy's AMAZING," said Scorpius excitedly. "And Aunt Andromeda said I could come back whenever I like!"

Harry saw Malfoy close his eyes in relief.

well done, darling. You must have been so well-behaved."

"He was astonishingly polite," said Harry. "Even when Andromeda was being a total nightmare."

"Manners are the best defence," said Malfoy, without looking at Harry. Harry bit back a laugh. It was no wonder that Scorpius spent half his time quoting his dad, when he insisted on speaking in aphorisms. He could practically see Scorpius filing "Manners are the best defence" into his head for later use.

"Teddy said I was good on a broom!" said Scorpius, now.

Malfoy beamed, stroking Scorpius soft blond hair.

"I bet you wiped the floor with him!"

"Not quite," said Scorpius modestly.

"Are you still dreading Hogwarts?"

"Less," admitted Scorpius, "You did like Hogwarts, didn't you, Dad?"

"I had... a complicated relationship with it. But that was my own fault, as you know."

"What about you, Harry?"

Harry blinked, surprised to be addressed. When Scorpius and Malfoy talked to each other like that -when Malfoy called Scorpius "darling" it felt like the rest of the world disappeared, and it was just the two of them, united against everything. Harry had been so caught up watching them, tangled in the complex web of envy they made him feel, that he had almost forgotten he was still there.

"I loved Hogwarts," he said. "It's the only home I've ever had."

They both stared at him with identical looks of sympathy, and Harry had to rewind to work out what he had said to garner such a response.

"I mean, obviously I have a home. I'm not homeless. I live in a house. You've, uh, been there.

Um."

"Has it been behaving itself better?" asked Malfoy, graciously changing the subject.

"Oh, yeah. Did you know I have an ice rink? On the sixth floor. I didn't even know I had a sixth floor."

Malfoy was looking at him now, with his silvery grey eyes. Would he mention Harry's letter? Had it angered him? Had he liked it?

"You might not really have an ice rink," said Malfoy. "It's just getting to know you. Once it figures out what you like, it'll redistribute its resources."

Harry ran his hand through his hair. He had just remembered that this was Malfoy's last night with Scorpius, and the thought saddened him for a variety of reasons.

"Magic is amazing," he said. "Anyway. I've got to get going. I'll see you tomorrow at the station, yeah?"

"Do stay for a cup of tea," said Malfoy politely.

"No, thank you, I need to get home. I've got to..." he trailed off. He was aware that Scorpius, at least, knew that he had nothing to do; one waiting for him.

"Potter, L..." began Malfoy (and Harry noticed that it was very hard to think of him as Malfoy all the time, when his name was Draco). Malfoy kissed the top of Scorpius' head, lost in thought.

"Er." said Harry, looking at Scorpius. "Is he okay? Has he, you know, done that thing?"

"I'm fine, Potter. I was just trying to think how I can thank you. I don't suppose you need a book recommendation?"