Chapter 7
The next day the kids wake up groggily to the smell of fresh bacon, sausages and omelette. "Dad's it smells so nice, what are you making?" Scorpius asks excitedly getting his plate.
"Not so fast young man, few more minutes then we can eat. How about you brush your and estella's teeth by then." Draco smiles and both the kids rush into the washroom. Estella is very much younger than scorpius yet she acts so mature and obedient for her age. Though today she can be a kid once again and so can scorpius as they are going to be attending the event. It's not everyday that draco can cook such a breakfast, he is a great cook but rather a poor one but today his children shall experience as much comfort as they can. He had already rang pansy up and she was more than delighted to send some outfits over for the three of them. Draco wanted him and the kids to look like they deserved to be there, the wizards be damned if they thought otherwise. As he put the put the plates down, the children quickly sat down showing draco their pearl white teeth. Draco always took care of hygiene and made sure his children did too.
"Dad what's the surprise!?" Scorpius asked excitedly biting into his sausage.
"How do you know there is a surprise?" Draco asks curiously.
"Well, we never eat this and the nice clothes on the side aren't concealed well enough so what's happening?"
"We have been invited to a ministry event where there will be many games to play and much food to eat, a lot better than this." Draco says wiping the sauce off estella's mouth.
"Can we bwing it hom?" Estella asks excitedly.
Draco wonders if it might look strange if he were to parcel some food, it would to him if he was back in hogwarts but now he wouldn't bat an eye to anyone else that did for he understood why. "I don't know princess, we'll see." The kids nod and quickly finish their food too excited to get into their formal wear. Pansy has tailored draco and scorpius suits and estella a frock in different shades of brown, simple yet elegant and classy. Also very much different from a slytherin wear which is something draco emphasized on. As much as he was proud of his house, today wasn't about him, it was about the kids and he'd rather go to azkaban then mess up today. Who knows when else he will be served such an opportunity. The kids get ready alongside draco and they leave for the event. Draco didn't have the means to a proper transport or floo but pansy was kind enough to send a car for them. The children were awestruck seeing the black porsche even more sitting comfortably on the red velvet seats, draco noticed how careful the two were, making sure not to damage or dirty the interior. He raised good kids, child draco would never. They kept on asking the driver questions about the car and the event which he was kind enough to answer or maybe it was part of the rules, draco didn't know. Finally they reached the event and draco took in a deep breath. It had been many years since he last attended an event and this would be the very first after the battle. He had no idea what or who to expect and now the panic was settling into his body upon the realization, he hadn't thought at all about what he would say or do. What if they don't allow him in as a death eater and expose him in front of the children or worse he gets allowed in only to be bashed repeatedly by all other guests. Should he make up and excuse and leave? The kids would forget in a couple of days but draco would never, this is for the children. For a couple of hours he can pretend he enjoys it just as much as them.
"Dad do we get out?" Scorpius asks reaching across draco and placing his hand on the door. The driver gets out and opens the door for them. Draco can feel his heart thumping as he gets out, there are lights and cameras everywhere, heck there is a red carpet in front and draco is certain no one would want him to walk on it. He's proven right as all cameras stop flashing and people stare at him either stunned or infuriated. The kids stand beside him, each grabbing one hand unaware of anyone's glare and start to walk. But draco cannot move, he shouldn't be here and the neither should the children. What if they get photographed? Draco didn't think of anything before coming and now its all a mess. He's about to turn around when a small hand pats his back. He flinches to see a smiling Luna.
"Well hello. Nice seeing you here draco."
"We are here too." Scorpius smiles as her eyes glance down.
"Perfect. Shall we proceed?" And without waiting for a response she takes estella's empty hand and starts walking the carpet. Some people dare raise their camera but quickly snap it down when luna glares at them. Draco will never understand how luna could ever master such an expression but he's grateful for it.
"Thank you." He whispers to her as she nods.
They head inside and the guard stops them. "What's the matter David. I am a regular, you know that?" Luna asks curiously.
"Ma'am you are allowed but not them." He points at the three in disgust as estella pouts and scorpius looks confused.
"They are with me and I say you let them in."
"It's alright luna, we have the invite." Draco says thanking the lord that he didn't forget to bring the invite, he gives it to the guard who analyzes it for a good few minutes then makes a few phone calls as luna scoffs and finally lets them in with a grunt.
"I shall inform his senior regarding this draco, don't you worry."
"Please don't, need no more problems." As he steps inside he and the children are awestruck by how majestic everything appears. Even though they are indoors, there are birds flying everywhere as the ceiling is transformed into an illusion of the night sky. There are fountains between the round tables and on the sides are floating paintings behind which are long waterfalls. Food and drinks seem to be flying around not once bumping into anyone or anything. Draco would be mesmerized a bit more but hermione steps forward interrupting him.
"Hello malfoy, so glad you came." She looks down to the children who try to hide behind draco. "You must be scorpius and estella. Luna has told me a lot about you." The children smile sheepishly as draco looks around seeing so many people who mostly stare at him and his children in disgust.
"Granger." He nods. "Do you have any idea as to who invited me to this event?" Hermione is about to answer but she gets interrupted by ron and draco can't help but walk away as cameras flash in their direction anticipated to witness the exchange. The world isn't and shouldn't be over the death of fred weasley but now's not the time to be photographing a moment between death eater and victim who lost his brother. He and the children walk to the paintings and draco nervously takes out his muggle camera. He always liked the idea of having memories but with the kids thinking their muggles he couldn't use a pensieve so he had bought a camera which had not many pictures for there weren't many milestones they were accomplishing but today he would.
"Dad isn't is embarrassing? Everyone is watching." Scorpius whispers as draco sees a bunch stare but not come close to them seeming afraid. Though estella didn't care for she had already gone in front of a painting posing without a care in the world and draco smiled snapping a picture.
"No it's not. This is our moment so go and pose. You might regret later." Scorpius smiles and stands in front of a painting not meeting anyone's eye except draco's. After snapping a bunch of pictures the trio headed to the very back to sit on the tables but all of them seemed to be reserved with other names.
"Where's our table?" Scorpius asked tired of walking around now.
Draco thought if they didn't have tables at all. He had scanned the entire back but their names hadn't appeared. Maybe they are here to just to see the paintings and leave which is still more than enough draco had hoped for. He was about to tell the kids till neville longbottom stepped in front of him nervously. Draco's breath hitched, he didn't know how to face neville, didn't he kill nagini?
"Hey malfoy." He said shyly.
"Hello longbottom."
"You good?" He continued twisting his ring which had the initials - H.A - hannah abott draco assumes.
"Yes we were just leaving."
"We are?" Scorpius asks sadly as estella stomps no. The last thing he wants is for his children to make a scene here. "We haven't even eaten yet and you said there would be a lot of food to eat."
"Can we bwing it hom daddy." Estella squeaks again as draco gives neville an apologetic smile who isn't looking at him rather the kids.
"The food sure is going to be delicious, why don't you stay for longer?" Neville suggests hopefully.
"I think i have overstayed my invitation here, thankyou neville."
"Draco you should, the past is in the past. If it makes you feel any better, i don't have nightmares anymore so stop blaming yourself yea?" He smiles at him.
"Why would you have nightmares because of my dad?" Scorpius asks confused.
Draco interrupts. "Neville where will we sit, none of the tables have our names. It's obvious no one wants us here."
"Draco you are sitting in the front."
Draco can't help but burst into laughter, he thinks neville's cracking a joke but when he sees neville staring at him confused he says. "Lead the way." Neville nods and the trio follow behind. Draco is certain neville has read some name wrong for there is no way the ministry would have him sit in the front alongside the rest of them. But he's shocked when he sees that neville has actually taken them to the very front and in bold screams all three of their names. There also seems to be a toy basket for the kids as a return present.
"Enjoy." Neville says and takes his leave as Kingsley approaches the podium.
They all sit down as he says a very long rather boring speech of how far they have come and fortunately not even once does he mention the battle or make draco feel awkward. He's just happy the children are eating well as they devour their food.
Kingsley continues. "Before i leave, I'd like to bring forward our special host who has organized a splendid auction for you all. He is the one who invited you here for he knows exactly who'd he prefer on such an exquisite evening. Thankyou." Draco gets nervous, he wonders who this person is who thought draco is worthy of a ministry event and an expensive auction even though draco can barely pay rent. His thoughts are interrupted as he sees harry step forward with a small shy smile staring directly at draco and the kids. Scorpius looks at draco remembering the stones again and in an instant his appetite has vanished. Draco wonders if this is some sick joke being played by harry or not. Harry also says a boring speech with the occasional applauds of the crowd till its time for the auction. He flies many glass boxes in front with a camera above them to display the view for all. Draco wonders what it could be.
"I'd like to auction the most expensive and purest of magic to you all, starting with this green stone worth 500,000 galleons!" He announces as everyone gasps and a beautiful small green stone with sharp edges glinting under the moonlight is revealed. Draco finds it pretty and interesting as harry talks about its significance. From the corner he can see scorpius stare in shock.
"You find the stone pretty scorpius?" He asks him.
Scorpius has tears welling in his eyes. "Dad that's my stone. My stone from the box he took!" He whispers quietly but angrily as draco stares once again and remembers that the very same stone is put on the wizarding website by draco for 5 galleons which no one was interested in buying but now everyone wants to pay 500,000 galleons for it. He sees how everyone bids higher and higher as harry's smile grows bigger. Oh how vicious can he be draco thinks, to pull such a sickening joke in front of a kid. Draco looks around to see hermione and ron's eyes on him as well. Are they in on it? He didn't expect this at all. All of this has been a joke to invite them and make a fool out of them. But being in the front, he can't stand up and leave. The stones come and go, all of them belonging from scorpius's collection and by now harry's vault must have surpassed its limit for he's managed to sell them all. Draco is about to grasp scorpius's hand but scorpius gets up and runs outside. Draco quickly grabs estella and runs behind him. The incidence is seen by all especially harry who stops and just stares at what happened.
Harry wonders why did scorpius run? Shouldn't he be happy that harry is doing them a favor by selling all these stones. By tomorrow the three will be rich enough just like how draco used to be. He shares a confused look with ron and hermione. He doesn't understand what just happened. He doesn't think twice but leaves the podium running behind them.
"Scorpius malfoy wait!" Draco screams at scorpius grabbing him and stopping him as tears roll down scorpius's eyes wetting his suit. He wipes them profusely but more run down.
"Why would you bring me here dad!" He yells at draco who hugs him tightly caressing his hair gently.
"I didn't know my love or else i would have never." He says apologetically and regretfully. He will kill harry if he has to and his thoughts are about to be answered as harry pants behind them.
"Why would you run?" Harry asks gasping for breath.
Draco puts estella down and charges at harry, though after years of no training he's quite weak and harry quickly grabs draco instead holding him tightly as he squirms. "Get off me!" Draco screams pushing harry off.
"Malfoy violence against an auror won't go unnoticed." Harry warns him.
"To hell with being an auror potter. How dare you insult us like this! Just because you saved the world doesn't mean that the rest of us succumb to your will!"
"What do you mean malfoy!?"
"Those are my stones!" Scorpius cries hysterically as estella tries to hit harry who stares confused.
"What did you prove from all this potter? Please do enlighten me. The stones my son couldn't sell ever for minimal prices have been sold for millions today by you. Is this to tell me that my son being my son will never have the fate that one day your son would have?"
Harry sighs in frustration, ruffling his hair. "Malfoy you have got it wrong."
"Oh no i don't. I say you go inside and tell them they belonged to draco malfoy's son and see how quickly everyone retrieves their galleons back."
"Malfoy shutup! I am doing it for you, you could never sell them so this is nothing but a favor!" Harry says annoyed waving bis hands around as draco scoffs.
"Oh so a favor? How many more potter? Speaking on my trial, landing me a job in the ministry and now selling these stones."
"I didn't get you the job, kingsley did and i didn't even want to do this. It was ron's idea because he felt bad how ...."
"How what potter." Draco narrows his eyes at him as the kids look on.
"How poor they are." Harry says. "You could never malfoy, with your condition it's quite strange to see you even have kids."