Harry Potter and the Next Generation

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Draco opened up the letter his son had sent him and read it thoroughly. He pulled out a piece of parchment from his desk and dipped his quill in the vial of ink on his desk. He began to write,

Dear Scorpius,

The door to his study opened and Astoria came in, holding two cups of steaming liquid. “I made you some coffee,” she said. “I know how much work you still have to do.”

“What are you drinking, then? You still have to wake up early in the morning,” Draco said.

“Just hot chocolate.” she said. Draco didn't say anything. He knew she didn't need the sugar. No one did, but he didn't want to tell her this and offend her. He didn't think she was fat at all, he thought she was beautiful. He had never really thought many women were beautiful. When he was younger he had thought Hermione Granger was beautiful, that's why he teased her. He had thought Pansy was hot and easy, so that's why he went with her for so long. Also, he knew his father would severely punish him if he was truly open with himself at that time. But now he had found a woman he loved more than any other in the world, and that was Astoria. “What is this?” she asked.

“Scorpius sent us a letter.” he said.

“And you were just going to reply without even telling me?” she asked incredulously. She snatched up Scorp's letter and began reading it. When she was finished, she turned to Draco, carefully weighing her choice of words. The ones she chose were, “So, what were you thinking of telling him?”

“Well, my first instinct is to say no because I've always hated Potter.” Draco admitted.

“You were jealous. Jealousy is different from hate.” Astoria reasoned with him.

“Let's not talk about this right now.” Draco said, starting to get edgy. Astoria backed off. He continued, “But then I also want him home to share Christmas with us as a family. It's one of the few times we get to spend together.”

“What if you asked if we could go visit during the holiday?” Astoria suggested.

“Are you kidding?” Draco exclaimed. “The Weasleys couldn't hate me more than they despised Lord Voldemort himself! It would be so awkward.”

“Well, maybe we should all learn from Scorpius and Albus, Draco. We need to learn to put our past—or other peoples' pasts—behind us and look to the future with open minds and acceptance in our hearts.” she suggested.

“Why the Hat put you in Slytherin, I'll never know,” Draco said, giving his wife a lingering kiss on the lips. “I do feel like I shouldn't stop him from being with his friends where I know he's happy. I'm worried that he'd be miserable if he were stuck here with us and my parents all holiday.”

“Then, why not let him go?” his wife asked him.

“What if they don't accept him?” Draco worried.

“You're over-thinking things, Draco. Plus, he said in his letter that Albus wrote to his parents and they said they'd be delighted to have him.” Astoria said.

“Do you really think it's okay?” he looked up at his wife with puppy-dog eyes.

“I believe he'll have a great time, Draco.” she said. “She'll enjoy himself, and if anyone's rude to him, he's bold enough to stand up for himself. He's more brave than either you or me.” Astoria put her chin on Draco's head, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “How about this, sweetheart, you write Scorpius a letter telling him he's allowed to spend the holiday with his friends, and I'll write to the Potters thanking them for having Scorpius over and asking if we can come visit? I'll meet you upstairs in fifteen minutes, gorgeous.”

Before she could leave the room, Draco posed the question to her, “Astoria, do you think Scorpius is afraid of us?”

Neither one of them knew or wanted to know the answer. Surely, soon enough, the two letters lay open on the bedside table, mimicking Astoria and Draco's loving positions as they held each other in peaceful sleep.