Yours Sincerely
February 2002
Dearest Draco,
I imagine it comes as somewhat of a surprise to hear from me instead of your adoring wife, so allow me to explain. Astoria passed two days ago. I’m sorry for your loss (and I do genuinely mean that, even if neither of us were overly keen on the woman). She wrote you a letter, but upon reading it, I decided that you were already suffering enough and didn’t need to hear that bunch of soppy shite (our love is eternal as the flight of the dove, etc etc). I have kept the letter for you to read upon your return. If you’d like it sooner, let me know.
Tori’s letter also includes a tone deaf tirade about blood purity in the middle of it, which I assumed you’d rather not be subjected to just now. I will relay her core messages without the prejudice she so lovingly included. As per your wishes, passed on by the solicitor, Pansy has been named one of Scorp’s guardians. For better or worse, Tori has also named a second guardian, and let me explain before you kick off. It’s Hermione Granger. Yes, that one. Tori was concerned that Scorp would face censure in the world for his surname and, if I can be honest, your actions during the war. After seeing how natural Granger is with kids, she decided that she could open doors for your son in this new world we find ourselves in. Incredibly slytherin of her, you’d be proud.
For my part, I find that I am overjoyed for Scorp to be around someone like Granger. Tori definitely hasn’t told you, but Granger and I work together. We are the new co-owners of Flourish and Blotts, and I have come to see her as a friend. It’s frowned upon to speak ill of the dead, but fuck it. Astoria was not a natural mother, and I fear that Scorp has not known love as he should have done in his short life so far. In seeing how bloody forgiving that mad gryffindor can be, I can say with absolute confidence that the kid is going to know love now.
Tori was under the impression that she knew you best, but we both know that she didn’t know you at all. Long have I filled that particular position in your life, and so I know that you don’t want Scorp to be raised in the way we were. I assured Tori that he’d be raised with pureblood values - even I wouldn’t panic a dying woman - but I want to swear to you here and now that he will not be. Between Granger and Pans, he’s going to have a happy childhood in which he is free to play and laugh and be whoever the fuck he wants to be, and Salazar, Draco, your son is already blindingly brilliant. He reminds me of you. The real you, not the brooding arsehole you pretend to be. I’d quite like to see the true version of you when you’re released, if at all possible. Maybe something to work on in all this free time you have on your hands.
I will personally ensure your son will one day be sorted into slytherin, despite the inevitable influence of several gryffindors in his life. I will also ensure his exposure to any Weasleys is limited and in a controlled environment. You don’t have to worry about any of that. Granger isn’t big on the gingers these days anyway, from what I can tell.
For all her faults, Tori has offered you one hell of a gift here - hope for the future. Don’t be so misguided as to throw that away so easily. It’s going to be alright, mate. I want to stay positive, so I won’t ramble on about your incarceration being inherently unfair, even if we both know it is. To give you all that time and freedom just to change their minds was cruel. Maybe I’ll convince Granger to protest with me. If we chain ourselves to a tree, do you think that’ll make any difference? I’ll ask her what she thinks.
All the best, keep the faith, my love for you knows no bounds, etc etc,
Theodore Nott Jr
***
February 2002
Malfoy,
I come in peace, even if hearing from me in this way brings you anything but. Your late wife has named me as one of your son’s guardians, as I am sure you are already aware. I’d express my condolences for your loss, but Theo has heavily suggested to me that your marriage with Astoria was not one based in either love or respect. I shall instead express my sadness that your son will not get the chance to know his mother. I am sorry.
I want to make you some promises. Firstly, that what has happened between us does not colour my opinion of your son in any way. I am not so bitter as to believe that the mistakes of the father are also those of the son. I am going to do my best for Scorpius, to give him a happy childhood where he knows that he is safe and loved whilst you cannot be with him. I hope you know that I mean that, even if we have never been friends. I am aware that is something of an understatement, but I don’t believe either of us need to dwell on the past.
I’d say that I don’t understand Astoria’s reasoning for her choice, but that would be a lie. If I could let you into a secret, Malfoy, I was a serious hat stall back in Hogwarts. I think that if there hadn’t been entry requirements based in purity, I might have been a slytherin. I wonder how things would have been different if that had been the case. Regardless, that means that I am entirely aware of Astoria’s viewpoint here. I know that she thinks being associated with me will negate the weight that his surname carries, and frankly, she is right about that. I won’t hide who he is or try to change him, he will know of his family and be proud of his heritage, but he won’t be raised with any ideas of purity or elitism. If Theo is to be believed, then you are in support of this. I’ll be honest and tell you that I am withholding judgement until I see this with my own eyes. I suppose it is lucky that I am a patient person.
It isn’t good for the soul to hold on to hatred for so long, and so I’m not going to. To err is human, to forgive divine.
I am told that you are not in the business of replying to letters sent to you, however I want to tell you that if you were to write to Scorpius, I’d be happy to read it to him. He’s obviously not necessarily cognisant just yet, but I believe it is important for him to maintain some kind of link with his family, as the only blood relative he has left right now is Daphne, who is still refusing to see him. Zabini believes he can convince her. You know the man better than me, should we believe him?
I’m going to keep writing to you with updates on Scorpius, whether you want them or not. Parkinson tells me that she is not one for writing letters, so it’s me or nothing, I’m afraid.
Let me know if there is anything else I can do (unless that would contain the words ‘fuck’ and ‘off’, in which case, keep those comments to yourself.)
Yours sincerely,
Hermione J Granger
***
March 2002
Malfoy,
Communication between myself and Parkinson has broken down somewhat. This probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise to you. Don’t panic, though. We have come to an arrangement where Scorpius spends half of the week with her in Parkinson House, and half of the week with me, in the bookshop and my flat above. I’d say it’s akin to a muggle custody arrangement, but Parkinson didn’t know what that meant, and so I assume you don’t either. All I have to say is that Scorpius is being well cared for by both of us, even if we cannot find common ground just yet. He is such a happy, cheerful baby. I am anticipating that Scorpius as a toddler will keep us all on our toes.
I do not know if they tell you this sort of thing in Azkaban, but I thought it only fair that you knew. Your father is unwell. They have moved him to St Mungo’s, and I am sorry, but the healers do not believe that he has long left. Parkinson and Theo took Scorpius to see him, and I am told he was overjoyed to have been able to meet his grandson before the end. He was, of course, not overly supportive of my role in your son’s life, but Theo said that he was convinced of the merits when it was explained candidly to him. Once a slytherin, always a slytherin, I suppose.
You will not want me to talk about him, but I went to see Harry this week. There is a reason for me mentioning this, do not toss this letter aside just yet. He lives in Grimmauld Place, as it was left to him by Sirius Black, and I wondered if there might be some books about Black family traditions in the library there. Kreacher was incredibly helpful in filling me in on a few things. As such, I have begun speaking to Scorpius in French occasionally. I spent some time in the country as a child and am fluent myself, and I felt it important to maintain some of the more positive traditions from your family if at all possible. Once he is older, I intend to sit him down for more structured lessons with the language. I hope you approve.
It is Astoria’s funeral tomorrow. I’m sorry they won’t let you or your mother attend. You may not have loved her, but she is still the mother of your child. I suppose it does not do to dwell on matters we cannot change. Just so you’re aware, if I’d known sooner, I might have been able to pull a ‘don’t you know who I am’ at the Ministry, and they could have heard your appeal in time. If there ever is anything you need doing, just give me advanced warning as Theo has informed me that he’s always wanted to watch me throw my weight around, and he’d need to clear his calendar. Has he always maintained so many dalliances at once? I have no idea how he finds enough hours in the day.
Yours sincerely,
Hermione J Granger