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Draco watched his son toddle around the room, with an attentive eye, as he played with his toys. As always, the game was an amusing sight.
Scorpius was jumping from teddy bear to teddy bear on the floor, placing them around the circle and giving them little cups of imaginary tea. Ever polite, he was consistently making a show of leaning down and asking what they wanted, then putting a hand to his ear to listen.
After a few rounds through his teddy bear restaurant, his son leaned down to ask one particularly short teddy bear, with a bright pink bow. Only, bending too far and losing his balance, Scorpius tipped gently onto his side on the rug. His little boy burst into giggles. Draco too had a wide smile on his face, as he watched his son gleefully roll around on the carpet, quickly acting like a caterpillar now he was lying down.
Scorpius rolled onto his back, stretching himself out with a little wiggle of his fingers and toes. “Dada, please come play!” He begged, in his little, sing-song voice. Draco could never say no to that face and looked around himself, trying to find something exciting for a three year old.
His eyes fell on a nearby stack of blankets. With a cheeky grin, he picked one up and shook it out, before slowly approaching Scorpius. The little boy started giggling in anticipation, kicking his legs around. “Are you ready? I’m going to…get you!” Draco threw the blanket over him, kneeling down to wrap it around Scorpius as he wriggled and squirmed with laughter.
“Ah! Daddy got me! Mummy, help!”
Astoria had just poked her head round the door, catching sight of her two boys having fun. At Scorpius’ plea, she let out a big gasp. “Oh no! The blanket monster has got you!”
Draco went with it and let out a little roar at her words, gathering his son up, surrounded by the blanket, in his arms. He gently shook him about, in a display of kidnap. Scorpius, in turn, let out a little scream for effect, as Astoria made her way over to ’rescue’ him and he flailed his little arms towards her.
“Mummy, save me, save me!” His mum reached out, doing a big pretend tug of his arm, but to no avail. She sighed, and sank to the ground to join them.
“It’s no use, Scorpius, he won’t let go! You’re sinking further into the blankets.” On cue, Draco gave another monster sound and pulled the blankets further over them.
“No, no!”
His dad moved to press lots of wet kisses to the side of his face, tickling his sides and Scorpius shrieked with laughter. “You’ll never escape the blanket monster!” Draco told him.
“What do I do, Scorpius!”
He squealed, and Draco paused to let him think of an answer. “Ask him nicely?” Scorpius suggested, trying not to lose himself in the blankets too far. Astoria tapped her finger to her chin.
“Hmm, maybe that will work. Please let Scorpius go, blanket monster.” Draco smirked as his wife sent him a look over their son’s head, considering whether he was going to win or be nice and lose the game.
“Please, don’t eat me, Daddy blanket monster!” Scorpius said quietly, giggling a little as he squirmed in his dad’s arms. And of course, Draco let go.
“Okay, you win, I’ll let you go this time.” He said, trying to keep up with his ‘menacing’ tone.
As soon as Draco had loosened his arms from around Scorpius’ middle, he jumped up in triumph, hopping over to his mum. “Yes, I ecscaped! We winned!” He clapped his hands together excitedly, which brought a smile to both his parents’ faces.
Astoria pulled him closer to plant a little kiss to his hair. “Good job, my little buttercup.” Scorpius, however, didn’t notice her words, eyes focused on his dad. He did his best to put on an angry expression, scrunching his little face up.
“Now we get you!” Suddenly, Scorpius held his hands up to pretend to bare his claws, and ran towards his dad. “Roar!”
Draco caught him with a little ‘oof’ as Scorpius threw himself onto his lap, climbing all over him with growls in between his incessant giggles. But after a few seconds, his laughter overcame him, and he left his head on his dad’s shoulder. His joy was infectious. Draco smiled happily, holding him close, listening to his favourite sound of his little boy laughing right in his ear. He’d do anything to freeze the clock right now.
Whilst they waited for Scorpius to contain himself, Astoria unfolded some of the other blankets on the pile, beginning to wave them around and drape them over the seats or suspend them with magic. Their son looked up, slipping from Draco’s hold again.
“Mummy, are you doing a blanket, um, house?” He reached up on tip-toes to touch one of the blankets and it bobbed in position, mid-air.
“A blanket fort? I am indeed, baby. Do you want to help?”
Draco had got to his feet, also placing the blanket around to make up the fort. As Scorpius looked up at them both, he nodded, and ran off. Draco watched him go with a slight laugh. “Where is he going?”
“I don’t know, I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.” Astoria continued building the fort, until she got close enough to jab Draco in the side with her elbow. “You lost the game, blanket monster.”
“For Scorpius.”
“Sounds like an excuse to me…” she sang. Draco was about to respond when they were interrupted by their son’s abrupt return.
He burst through the door, balancing mountains of soft, cuddly toys and pillows in his little arms. Draco rushed over to help him.
“Oh, good job, Scorpius. They’re perfect!” It looked like his whole collection of toys that he hadn’t already been playing with earlier, and he began to set each of them down carefully. After he was finished, he stepped back with a proud grin.
“Look! They are ready for storytime.” He gestured to them all waiting patiently, swaying up and down on his tiptoes. Astoria nodded approvingly, before sending her husband a knowing grin.
“Oh, yes. They are, you’re right, Scorpius. Shall we get in the blanket fort and read them one?” Draco asked him, kneeling down to be at his level. At the question, his son cheered, tugging lightly on his dad’s arm to drag him into their den.
The three of them settled into the blanket fort, Scorpius wriggling on his dad’s lap, and Astoria picked up a book that had been left on the chair from earlier. “Which fairytale did we get to, do you remember?”
“Little Red Riding Hood.” Scorpius pronounced with practised ease, and Astoria grinned at him as she turned to the right page. They all snuggled closer, and Scorpius mouthed along as she began to tell the tale. Once upon a time…
***
Albus wandered round another corridor, thinking it looked exactly the same as all the other ones he’d been down. He had never appreciated how big the Manor was until he got lost in it, and by now he was wondering if he would ever get out.
His ears were pricked, listening for any movement that could tell him where he was. Originally, he had been looking for Scorpius after he’d disappeared but now Albus was just searching for a way out.
So focused on listening out, he hadn’t even noticed Draco Malfoy walking towards him until he collided headfirst into him.
“Sorry! Sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was…”
“Albus.” He bit back a smirk. “It’s fine, are you alright? Where’s Scorpius?”
“I’m fine but, well, I don’t know. I can’t find Scorpius.”
“You can’t find him?”
“No…we were just trying to find some sweets that he swore he’d put somewhere and then he found this blanket under his bed, and he, like, got a bit flustered and rushed off. I tried to follow him but he seems to have just disappeared.”
Draco nodded slowly. “Okay…I think I know where he might be.”
“Oh, thank goodness because I have no idea where I am.”
“Evidently, you were aimlessly wandering the corridors. Any further and you might have stumbled across Scorpius’ grandfather’s quarters.” Albus gulped. “Would it be better for me or you to go?”
“Uh…”
“If you don’t think I should be there, I don’t mind, just say.”
“I think both of us.”
Draco nodded. “Okay, then. Follow me, we’ll go find him.” Draco led the way back where Albus had just gone, perfectly navigating in what to him was just a labyrinth. They walked past doors and doors quickly, then travelled down a set of stairs which was starting to look familiar. Finally, the man stopped abruptly outside a door in the corridor, which looked slightly different to the rest.
There were little painted flowers travelling up the edges of the door frame, in faded purples and pinks, and there were some little chips in the wood near the bottom and around the handle. The door seemed to hold memories of a lively time.
“This was Scorpius’ old playroom.” Draco explained, in a wistful voice. “We haven’t been in here since…”
“Mm.” Albus hummed, pulling at his fingers as he studied Draco carefully. He seemed caught up in the memories surrounding just this very door, eyes glassy and Albus didn’t know how much privacy Scorpius’ dad would want. It felt like he was intruding. “Do you… think he’s in here?”
Draco dropped his hand from where it was tracing his ring and cleared his throat. “Yes, I…sorry, I think he might be in here.” Albus nodded, waiting patiently as the man opened the door and stepped in, taking his time to let the nostalgia wash over him.
Albus let him have a moment before calling out into the room. “Hello?” There was nothing and he shrugged, looking to Draco.
“Scorpius?” The pair exchanged a knowing look as they heard a little gasp and a rustling sound. “Scorpius, we know you’re in here, come on. Albus is waiting for you.”
They waited another few seconds and then a little tear-stained face poked up from behind the back of the sofa. They both breathed a sigh of relief.
“Scorpius, there you are! I couldn’t find you anywhere.” Albus rushed over to him, grinning at the fact that he had found him. However, his expression quickly fell when he took in Scorpius’ tears. He leant over the back of the sofa, facing him.
“Sorry, I know I just ran off, Al.”
“No, it's fine. Just wanted to check if you were okay.” Scorpius looked between his dad and Albus.
“I’m…not really.” Both Draco and Albus nodded comfortingly.
“What’s up?”
Scorpius gently took Albus’ hand in his for support. “I remembered something and I got upset. I…sorry.” He cut himself off, using his free hand to wipe his face of more tears.
Draco came closer to his son too, patting his shoulder as Albus squeezed his hand. “It’s fine, do you want to talk about it?” He nodded in acceptance, letting out a few more quiet sobs.
With a sympathetic look, Draco took his son’s empty hand and led him round the back of the couch so they could sit together on the sofa. Scorpius fell into his dad’s arms gratefully, burying himself into his side.
Both Draco and Albus let Scorpius cry for a bit, knowing that he was not done yet. Albus gave the two of them space, watching on silently as Draco ran a hand up and down his son’s back gently, whispering soft words to him.
“It was the blanket. It made me upset…”
“I know, I know it did. It’s okay.”
“Yeah, you know it’s okay right?” Albus eventually murmured. “It’s okay if you get upset while I’m around, you don’t have to go and hide.”
“I know.” Scorpius mumbled, wiping his sniffly nose on his sleeve. “I suppose I just panicked. I didn’t really know what I could say, and it’s a bit silly, really so…”
“I’m sure it’s not silly.”
“…right, well. The blanket, it’s one that we used to use in our blanket forts, when, um…”
“Take your time.” Albus took his hand again and Scorpius squeezed it back.
“We would use the blankets like that one to make them, and play games and read stories and have picnics and things, and it was one of our special things. But…but now Mum isn’t here, we haven’t really done it since.” Albus frowned sympathetically, running his thumb over the back of his hand.
“I’m sorry, Scorpius.”
“It’s okay.” he sniffed. “I just don’t know why it got me upset-I’ve seen it before but today it just hurt more. I guess I wasn’t doing as well as I thought.”
“Sometimes we just have bad days, sweetheart.” Draco told him, smoothing down his hair gently. “Things are sometimes a bit sadder than usual, that’s all. And that’s okay, we just have to accept that it might be a bit difficult today and know that tomorrow is another day.”
Albus watched as Scorpius nodded sadly, and buried his head back into his dad’s shoulder. He noticed that their hands were still interlinked, and thought he probably should have let go now but he didn’t want to. A comfortable silence had lapsed over the room and he didn’t want to interrupt it. Still, he couldn’t quite ignore the feeling that there was something he could do to help.
“Scorpius, I do have an idea.” A slightly haunted look came to his friend’s face, and Albus held his hands up. “No, don’t look like that! It’s a nice idea.”
“Sorry, I can’t help it when you say those words.” Scorpius said, with a light smile and Albus reached to poke him playfully.
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, my idea. You don’t have to say yes if you don’t feel up to it or it’s not the right thing, so don’t feel you have to, but I was, well, I was wondering if you would want to try making one again.”
Scorpius tipped his head to the side, looking at Albus in thought. “Make a blanket fort again?”
“Yeah, so you have, like, another memory that won’t make you sad to think about.”
“Right…”
“Don’t worry, if it’s the wrong thing or I’ve misunderstood, I totally get…”
“Okay.” Scorpius interrupted.
“Okay?” Albus checked, and he nodded again, with his light Scorpius smile. He looked to Draco who had a similar, quietly enthusiastic look, and relaxed slightly. “Great, well, you teach me. How do we start?”
“You mean you’ve never built a blanket fort?” Draco blurted out in surprise.
“Um…no, I don’t think so.” Both the Malfoys untangled immediately, Scorpius stretching out as he leapt up.
“Well then, it’s definitely time you learned.” He held out his hand for Albus to take, pulling him up sharply as soon as their fingers touched. Albus only narrowly missed smashing his face into Scorpius’ shoulder.
But the boy was gone like a whirlwind, “I’m going to get the rest of the blankets, I’ll be ba-a-ack.”, running off and leaving a bemused Albus and Draco.
“Have I awoken something?”
Draco hid his uncharacteristically gleeful giggles behind his hand. “Merlin, it’s like he’s five years old again. I believe you’ve definitely inspired him.”
“Sorry.”
“No, I’m grateful. Usually I can’t make him feel any better when he feels like this.”
“I’m sure that’s not true.” Draco just smiled politely at him and he tried to smile back, though truth be told he was still nervous as anything about doing or saying the wrong thing.
“Thank you, Albus. Really. Scorpius needed a friend like you, and I couldn’t have got him through any of what he’s been through in the last few years if you weren’t by his side through all of it.”
Albus felt his cheeks grow pink and looked away slightly. “Oh, it’s nothing. I love hi…being his friend.”
He cursed himself inwardly, and looked up. Draco just gave him a knowing stare, before clearing his throat. “I know. And whilst I’m not one to betray any of my family’s secrets, I think he loves being your friend too.” There was a beat of silence as the underlying message hit Albus and his eyes widened. Draco simply gave a small nod in response.
“You don’t mind?”
“Not in the slightest. Just look at today, we would have sat here miserable if it weren’t for you. You’re quite the light.” Albus was feeling very taken aback, as he had never experienced such openness from Scorpius’ dad before. The man reached out and ruffled his hair, as if he were his own son. “Scorpius isn’t the only one grateful that you’re part of our family.” And Draco kissed the top of his head, like he had only seen him do with Scorpius before.
It felt like love. Specific love. A warm welcome home that he still hadn’t quite experienced. And it meant the world.
Albus was grateful that his best friend burst into the room at that moment, as he didn’t know quite what he was supposed to say. Oblivious to the heart to heart that had just gone on, and to Albus wiping damp eyes, Scorpius threw the things he had brought back on the floor.
“Here’s our supplies. Shall we get started?” They all nodded together and Albus immediately went to reach for a soft blanket. “Oh, Al?” Scorpius went over and placed a hand softly on the fabric, Albus looking expectantly at him. “Please don’t burn holes through this one.”
Albus bit back a grin, nodding seriously. “I won’t. I’ll try my very hardest not to.” The three of them began to work, the Malfoy’s leading Albus through their perfected steps of blanket fort creation.
It seemed like after only a few minutes, it was standing. “That went a lot quicker than I remember.” Scorpius muttered.
“Well, that’s what happens when one pair of hands isn’t the size of an apple.” Draco teased, tickling his palms with the tips of his fingers.
“I suppose. But now we have even more time for reading! I brought mum’s book of fairy tales.” Scorpius’ voice seemed to get tighter again and Albus held his breath. “I…I think we could r-read one, maybe?”
They both sent him the warmest smiles they could. Draco took the book gently from him, and wrapped an arm round his shoulders as they walked to the blanket fort. Albus hesitated, before Draco beckoned him over and he awkwardly settled into the fort next to Scorpius. He had tears once again falling down his face, but pulled Albus in nonetheless, slightly melting into his side.
“Are we all comfy?” Draco whispered, flipping through the pages in the book.
“Yeah.”
“Yes, I am.” Albus froze as Scorpius suddenly decided to rest his head on his shoulder. There was a beat of silence and he hoped no one could hear how quickly his heart was going. “Thank you, Albus.” his best friend whispered near his ear.
The tension dissipated from his body as he let his head fall onto Scorpius’ too, and with that, Draco began to read the words to the story.
The familiar words of Little Red Riding Hood were read again, and whilst his heart still ached with grief, Scorpius felt eased with the two people he loved most by his side.
They both held his hand, and his mum watched on with a smile, listening to the familiar words. Once upon a time…