Year One
The Malfoy's (as previously mentioned) are a proud people, but nobody in this godforsaken family is as proud as Draco Malfoy is when his son gets his letter to Hogwarts. And absolutely no one is as proud as Draco Malfoy is when his son gets his wand, and his robes, and his books, and—
Absolutely no one, not even the proudest Gryffindor student, is as proud as Draco Malfoy is of his son when they get to the train station on platform 9 ¾. Watching his boy, nervous and excited, wait for the train to Hogwarts.
The station is crowded as ever, full of (nowhere near) equally proud families, teary eyed mothers wishing their first year children off, doting fathers giving their children advice on the years to come, tired parents of fifth years ready to have some silence in their houses for once. Draco can see many of his old friends sending their children off, many in similar boats as Draco; guilt ridden and trying to make amends. Others simply hiding their beliefs from the world until they get the chance to attempt to wipe out the mudblood scum from the wizarding world and other such thoughts Draco might have once believed.
Among the crowd, Draco can also see the Weasleys sending off their young children. Shockingly, they seem to have ended the Weasley tradition of too many children and not enough money. There’s only two children and their robes seem to be brand new. Though the two little ones still have the fiery red hair of the Weasleys. Draco supposes that was Mrs Granger’s doing. How they ended up together, Draco will never know.
Draco can also see the Potters sending off their eldest son. Strange, Harry Potter is a professor at Hogwarts, why is he sending his son off? Won’t he be meeting his son at school anyways? What type of strange Potter logic is this? How stupid. It almost makes him angry seeing this absolutely foolish goodbye.
“Dad.”
Draco would love to see his son everyday at school, but why on earth would he be saying goodbye to his son if he’ll be teaching him in school. Bloody stupid Potter. Merlin, the fool never changes–
“Dad!”
“DAD!”
“Draco, dear,” Astoria touches his shoulder gently, pulling him out of his thoughts, “I think your son wants to speak to you.”
Shit. Draco is so hung up on his old… friend’s (?) stupidity he didn’t even notice Scorpius calling for him. At least Potter can hear his children when they call for him.
Kneeling down to look his son in the eyes, all Draco can see is uncertainty and fear and dejection.
“I’m sorry, son. What’s the matter?”
“I… I’m worried.”
“Well, yes I can see that. What are you worried about?”
“Well, um… what if I’m not what you expect?”
Whatever that means, Draco doesn’t quite know, but he does know that there’s no way Scorpius can truly disappoint him if his son is being himself.
“Scorpius, I don’t know what that means, but–”
“Dad, what if I’m not a Slytherin?”
“Scorpius, so long as you are yourself, your wonderful self, I will be proud of you. Maybe with the exception of some criminal activity and foolishness, I will love you for who you are.”
“But I’m a Malfoy.”
Oh. Oh no. Has Draco failed so magnificently as a father that his son believes that his family’s history with Slytherin is the only thing that matters? Draco had hoped that his own upbringing hadn’t influenced his son’s beliefs, but it seems he’s failed miserably yet again.
No. Him and Astoria worked hard to make sure Scorpius wouldn’t end up anywhere near like him. Draco is certain Scorpius did not learn to think like this from his parents.
“Scorpius, why do you think that would matter to me?”
“Grandmother has been teaching me about, um, things.”
Taking a deep breath, Draco looks deep into his son's eyes and says, “Scorpius, son, never listen to your grandmother.” He can feel Astoria beside him suppressing a smile. Trying her absolute best to support her husband in this difficult conversation.
Draco can tell his boy doesn’t understand. This is not a conversation he can have right now, it’s too public, too loud, and there is far too little time before Scorpius needs to be on the train. His son is also still so young, far too young to need to carry the burden of his family name.
With a deep sigh, Draco kneels down to look his boy in the eyes and places a gentle hand on his shoulder., “Scorpius, your grandmother is not a good woman. Many of her beliefs are wrong and not to be listened to.”
“Like about my house?” Scorpius asks so shyly.
“Yes. just like that. You are brave, cunning, kind, and intelligent, son. I couldn't care less about what house you’re in so long as you continue being your wonderful self. Alright?”
“Yeah, alright,” Scorpius mumbles. He clearly has something else on his mind though, even so, Draco stands back up with a slight groan.
“Dad…” Draco hears once again.
“Yes, son?” he says, turning around to look at Scorpius.
“If Grandmother is such a bad person, why do you let her in the house?”
Oh, that’s a difficult question. Draco feels a small sense of panic creeping up from the depths of his chest. He sends a desperate look back at Astoria. His wife does nothing but take his hand in hers and give a comforting squeeze. The evil witch.
“Well, Scorpius,” he tries, “I don’t really have any other family anymore. And she’s still my mother. I may not agree with her, but she’s still my mother and she still raised me,” just not very well.
Really, the reason he hasn’t completely banned his mother from the house is because he’ll always be a mama’s boy deep down. His mother was all he had as a boy. No matter how shit she was and how cruel she’s been, Draco doesn’t have anyone else in his life that’ll care for him. He can’t ask that of Astoria. She’s sick enough already, she doesn’t need to worry about her pathetic husband's needs. It’s his job to care for her and love her for as long as he’ll have her for. Making her care for him would just sour the little time they still have together.
However unfortunately, his mother is the only person he can lean on when he can’t stand up on his own. If that means he has to suffer through her criticism and hatefulness, he will. But letting his son, his sweet boy, be influenced by his mother’s words is absolutely unacceptable. Scorpius isn’t supposed to end up like his father. He doesn’t deserve to live in shame because of his family and that horrid mark that haunts him. Scorpius doesn’t deserve that and he won’t allow his mother to ruin his son’s life, too. Scorpius Malfoy will grow up happy and kind like Draco never could be.
He hopes all of those things that he thinks and feels transfer through into the fierce hug he gives Scorpius before his boy runs off onto the old train. Draco watches his boy run off to his future and wraps his arm around his wife’s waist. He’s terrified, but so damn proud of his son. Looking off towards Potter again, Draco realizes he might not be the only person who’s afraid. He gives Potter a warm smile before turning away.
“You could’ve helped a little,” he says to Astoria as they walk together arm-in-arm.
“Mm, no you had it, dear. You always do.” Ha, how sweet this woman is to think that about Draco.
“I’ll be speaking to Narcissa about this, though.”
“That one, I will help you with, Draco,” she says as she leans up and kisses Draco on the cheek. “Shall we head back home?”
“Back to our empty nest.” he muses.
“I have a strong feeling he’ll be writing soon.”
“He better write to us with all that money I spent on stationery and an owl.” he mutters, faking bitterness just to see Astoria laugh.
“Come, my dear, let’s go and rest for a while. We’ll be hearing from him soon.”
With that, the Malfoys walk off and away from platform 9 ¾, to their now empty home.