The Marriage Decree

Chapter 111: He Kept Me Company

Harry had visited Draco and Hermione at their home the night of Thorfinn Rowle's escape to take a statement from Draco. The auror had told them Rowle had escaped right under his mentor's nose. Alphard Vale was leading the investigative team of five aurors, angry with himself for allowing such a dangerous man to escape. Draco voiced his concerns at the man who let Rowle go free, was leading the team trying to capture him again. Harry assured them both that Auror Vale was one of the best. Apparently, He was being put forward for the Deputy Head Auror position in the new year when inter-department votes took place. However, this information did little to calm Draco's nerves. His offer to help them out was shot down by both Harry and Hermione. He'd received an earful from Hermione once Harry had left that night. She didn't want him risking his life when Scorpius had only just come into theirs. He'd promised not to do anything stupid in relation to the search for Death Eaters.

Instead of getting involved, he took to texting Harry every couple of hours for updates. By the lunchtime on Monday, a day and a half later, Harry had to call him and promise to call him every night with updates, but Draco had to stop texting him. He had agreed, but still never went anywhere without his phone, in case the other man called with an urgent update.

On Wednesday morning, Draco was woken early by a vibration alarm on his wand. He quietly dressed, trying not to disturb Hermione, then checked on Scorpius. His was staring silently up at the mobile Luna had sent them by Owl from some faraway country she was currently travelling through.

"Good morning, Scorpius," Draco spoke softly.

Scorpius waves his arms, recognising his father's voice.

"Hello, shall we get up," He picks his son up from his crib, cradling him against his chest in one arm. "It's Mummy's birthday today." He states.

He'd read in one of the many parenting books they had bought last year that talking to your baby in a normal voice and sentences helps them to develop a better understanding of language and communication. Therefore, as he made breakfast for his wife, with Scorpius strapped to his chest in a carrier that Blaise had gifted him during his visit two days ago, he explained what he was doing to his son.

"Now, your Mummy doesn't like her toast too well done, so we need to keep checking on the toaster to make sure it's perfect." He says, glancing down at Scorpius, making sure the hood of the carrier was over his head to protect him from where Draco was scrambling some eggs. "Because it's a special day, we're going to have some smoked salmon in our eggs with a hint of paprika." He adds the paprika smoked salmon flakes. "Cooking is very much like potion-making," He states, checking the toast. "When you're old enough, I'll teach you the basics of potion-making. Although, I suppose I will be teaching you potions at Hogwarts anyway." He puts the kettle on. "I did promise myself that I would be a fair professor, I wouldn't play favourites or be too strict, nothing like Severus Snape, but you'll be my favourite student." He leans forward to kiss the top of his son's head. "Don't tell anyone." He adds, finishing off the breakfast as the toast pops up at the same time as the scrambled eggs.

Draco places a pot of tea with two cups and the two plates of breakfast on a tray, levitating them up the stairs in front of them. In their bedroom, he places the tray gently on the vanity table as he removes Scorpius from the carrier. Hermione, still fast asleep, is facing the door, so he puts Scorpius down in the middle of the bed, lying down on his side.

Scorpius, being only a foot away from his mother, starts waving his arms excitedly as he recognises her scent. When Hermione doesn't give him the attention he craves, he begins to whine. Hermione frowns in her sleep, at the sound of her son in discomfort. She opens her eyes, meeting Draco's smiling face first, before casting her eyes down to Scorpius lying between them. Her face instantly breaks into a smile.