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Running away from things was something that Scorpius was great at. Whether that be from his over-protective mother or his helicopter father. With blood slowly trailing down his tiny 2-year-old legs, Scorpius sped away from Draco who was yelling at him to stop for a second. His little tumble wasn’t going to stop him from getting to the large willow tree before his father. His scolding was a tactic to get him to slow down and let him win the race, Scorpius just knew it. With his stubby arms out in front of him, Scorpius nearly collided into the tree. He giggled as he leaned against it, the bark of the wood rough against his cheek. He turned around to face a red-faced Draco.
“Daddy, I won!” he exclaimed, his arms raised in excitement. The look on Draco’s face told him he wasn’t amused in the slightest. Draco crouched down, wiping the blood off Scorpius’ legs with a wave of his wand.
“Scorp, you could’ve been seriously hurt. What did we say about jumping off the large rocks to get ahead?” Draco asked, not an ounce of anger in his voice as he used the sleeve of his jumper to wipe away the dirt on his son’s face.
“You and mommy said I would get ouchie,” Scorpius answered pouting. Draco looked at his son, pointing at his bloodied knees.
“And it happened, didn’t it?” Draco added while healing the long gashes on his son’s knees. Scorpius itched his face before saying, “Yes but Daddy it doesn’t hurt. If it doesn’t hurt, is not ouchie.” Draco chuckled, shaking his head slightly.
“That’s not how it works bud. When you have a big ouchie like this, dirt and other little bugs can crawl into it and make you very very sick. So when I asked you to stop, I was going to make sure none of those bad things would crawl into you because that wouldn’t be fun, would it?” Draco asked, poking Scorpius in the ribs softly. He squeaked at the gesture, shaking his head.
“You have to remember that you have to heal any ouchies, even if they don’t hurt. You have to fix them.”
“Ok, Daddy. Next time, I will slow down before jumping off the rocks,” he assured with a devious little grin, giggling slightly. Draco began to tickle him and he thrashed around, wheezing in his father’s grasp. He squealed and Draco stopped resulting in Scorpius falling into his chest causing them both to topple over. Draco ruffled Scorpius’ hair, before sitting upright again.
“Come on, your mother’s waiting for us.”
“Finish your race?” Hermione asked as she unbuttoned her suit jacket before sitting on the picnic blanket. Scorpius launched himself at her, landing in her lap.
“Guess who won, Mummy.” Hermione feigned a look of wonder.
“Did you let Daddy win today?” Scorpius’ eyes widened in horror.
“No, Mummy! I won. Me,” he emphasized, pointing his little fingers to his chest. Hermione pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“Good job, my little star.” Draco leaned down, giving his wife a chaste kiss before sitting in front of them. “I bought you a present today, would you like to see it?” Hermione asked, whispering into Scorpius’ ear. He nodded vigorously, his hair flopping back and forth. Hermione pulled out two stuffed animals from her bag, placing them into his open hands.
A brown otter and some sort of weird white thingie.
Draco groaned at the sight of it and Scorpius asked, holding it out in front of her. “Mummy, what’s this one?”
“That, sweetie, is a ferret,” she answered with a snicker, looking over to Draco, who was shaking his head with a faint smile curving the corner of his lips. Scorpius didn’t notice, too engrossed with his new toys. He didn’t even notice Hermione place a camera in front of them, capturing a shot of the three of them.
16 years later, Scorpius finally decided to listen to his father’s advice and deal with his wounds as he stood over the two graves that were placed right in front of the big old willow tree.
Hermione Jean Granger
September 19, 1979
June 5, 2021
Adoring mother, daughter, wife, and friend
I finally got my priorities straight.
And just to it’s right was:
Draco Lucius Malfoy
June 5, 1980
June 5, 2021
Loving father, son, husband, and friend
The stars are and will forever be my best friends.
“Tilly?” Scorpius called out, his voice a low whisper, breaking as he withheld a sob. The young elf appeared, her hands clasped in front of her. Scorpius sat down on the ground, beside her and she patted his head just like she used to when he was younger.
“Can I have it now please?” he asked, staring at his father’s signet ring on his hand. The elf disappeared for a second, returning with a gold photo frame in hand. She placed it in his open hand just as he had accepted those toys so long ago. Scorpius inhaled slightly when he turned the frame around, looking at the picture his mother had taken that day, near the same tree. Tears flowed freely as he covered his face.
“I wish I had come with you to that birthday dinner. I’m sorry I didn’t stop you. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you,” Scorpius croaked, coughs wracking his entire body as he held the photo frame to his chest. “I’m sorry it took me two years to come back. I really am. I just couldn’t, I needed time and I know that was selfish of me. Please forgive me. Please.”
He could barely leave his room when it had happened. People came and went but the days after their passing were a blur. Days spent in bed and nights spent crying on the roof of the manor, relieving the moment the Medi-witch told him he was an orphan. Even in the midst of those two years, their epitaphs never left his mind. He chose to believe that he was one of his father’s friends because of the name they chose for him.
He hoped.
Scorpius quickly wiped his tears, taking a deep breath before continuing. “It’s my birthday today. None of them have been the same since you both left.” A lone tear escaped his eye before he added, “I wish you guys were here but even then I hope you guys are happy. Wherever you may be.” Scorpius swallowed, placing the photo frame between their headstones.
“Before I go, I brought something for you both.” Scorpius placed them beside each other, so they were leaning on each other. “I should probably go now. I won’t be able to tear myself away later if I don’t. But don’t worry, I’ll visit more often. I promise.” Scorpius stood up, smoothing out his pants before taking a deep breath and turning away.
As he walked further away, the two stuffed animals Scorpius had left behind on their graves, reunited with their rightful owners.
