Broken

Celebrations

Once they had all packed and left their bags by the door, everyone went down to breakfast.

The Great Hall was decked in Gryffindor colours, much to Draco's disgust.

Headmistress McGonagall stepped up to the podium, motioning for silence.

'I wanted to say a few words, before our guests depart - thank you for participating in our first annual tournament. A huge congratulations to our winners, the school team!'

Everyone cheered as the fresh-faced Gryffindor students blushed. Their third-year Seeker still wore a stunned expression, unable to believe she beat Harry Potter himself.

'And a round of applause for all of our competing teams!'

The Great Hall exploded in applause and cheering, as the team's all clapped each other on the back.

'We hope to have you all back next year. Now, I also have here the long-awaited results of this year's NEWTs.'

Draco choked on a piece of bacon.

'When I call your name, please come and collect your scroll.'

Hermione squeezed his hand, and Teddy snuggled up against Draco's other side.

The headmistress smilingly congratulated each terrified teenager as she handed them their results.

'Malfoy, Draco.'

A hiss ran around the Hall as Draco stood. The Weasleys and Potters smiled encouragingly at him as he left the Gryffindor table.

Whispers followed him up the aisle. He caught words like 'Death Eater', 'Hermione', and 'Slytherin'. He hoped Scorpius didn't hear them, or that he at least didn't understand.

Headmistress McGonagall shook his hand firmly, tears sparkling behind her glasses.

'Well done, Mr Malfoy,' she said softly. 'I am so proud of you.'

'Thank you,' he muttered, his hand wrapping around the scroll.

He rushed back to the seat, as the whole school craned to see him. He sank into the space between Hermione and Teddy, unrolling the parchment with shaking hands.

'I did it,' he whispered, staring wonderingly at the words. 'I did it!'

A letter fell from the scroll, and Teddy plucked it out of the scrambled eggs. Draco opened it.

'I've...I've been accepted onto the training course...I can be a healer!'

'A toast!' Teddy cried, waving his pumpkin juice in the air. 'To Healer-In-Training, and Hogwarts NEWT graduate, Draco!'

Draco buried his face in Hermione's hair as they all toasted him. From the way his shoulders shook, she guessed he was thoroughly overwhelmed.

*****

With every bone aching wearily, Draco trudged up the driveway towards Malfoy Manor. Scorpius danced ahead, attempting to sneak up on the albino peacocks strutting in the grass.

The silence weighed heavily, punctuated only by Scorpius' giggles and the crunching of their feet on the gravel. Draco had thought he'd enjoy the quiet, after the constant noise of Hogwarts, but he found himself missing the easy chatter of the Weasley-Potter clan.

The dark, oak doors swung open as they climbed the stone steps. Narcissa waited in the hallway, clasping her son and grandson in a brisk embrace. House-elves darted forwards to take their bags and coats.

'Welcome home, dears,' Narcissa smiled, patting their cheeks fondly.

She led them to the parlour, where an elf poured them all some tea. Scorpius' was topped with cold water, so he could drink it without scalding his tongue.

Draco watched his son sit straight-backed, sipping daintily from his teacup, mimicking his father and grandmother. Draco sighed, seeing the quiet, solemn expression settle back onto Scorpius' face. The tiny gentleman was so different from the mucky bundle of energy he had been for the last week, surrounded by rough and tumble children his own age.

'I received my NEWTs today, mother,' Draco said at last, pulling himself from his reverie. 'They were all Outstanding and Exceeds Expectations.'

'Congratulations!' Narcissa beamed at him, proudly.

'I have also been accepted into healer training,' Draco smiled, still unable to believe it.

'That's wonderful! We should celebrate. How about a party?'

'Sounds great,' he nodded. 'But could it...not be here? I would like to invite some guests who...might not appreciate that...'

'Like a certain Ms Granger?' Narcissa fixed her son with a shrewd look.

'And...Harry Potter...'

The sound of shattering china filled the room as Narcissa's teacup slipped from her grasp.

'Not, not just them. All the Weasleys, and the Potters. And Teddy and Andromeda, of course...'

'Of course.' Narcissa agreed weakly. 'That...that sounds...'

'Party?' Scorpius cut in, settling the cup carefully into his saucer. 'Rose and Hugo and James come? And Teddy? And evvybody?' His grey eyes lit up, his little face beaming at them both.

'Yes dear,' Narcissa smiled. 'We'll invite whoever you two would like. But...' she turned to Draco, her face worried, 'will they accept an invitation from...well, us?'

'Only one way to find out.'

'Yes...I suppose so...' Narcissa stated out of the window, distractedly.