Chapter 10
The next day harry wakes up chirpier and ready than ever. Today he was going to make things right! He had to. He thought as he looked at his pile of clothes thrown on the side, choosing what to wear. "I have either plain shirts or very formal ones." He groans finally settling down for a plain white shirt and black pants. They were good quality but he really needed to get a fashion sense soon. Ron was dressing better than him these days. Harry ate breakfast and soon drove over to draco's feeling nervous yet excited. He didn't care at all about draco rather scorpius; he caused a lot of damage to young scorpius mentally and ... physically. Once he arrived, he waited downstairs by the entrance; yesterday he'd confirmed or more like told draco the time. He stands idly on the sidewalk alone, the entire road is dead. It's too early and the sun is still rising, it's a time even before one could hit the gym but the park is far and if they want to make it in time to try all the rides, they needed to be early. Harry knows this because of teddy, that day tested his parental skills like no other. He wished teddy was here but he was at hogwarts studying fortunately without the evil shadow of voldemort and dementors. Just as harry thought draco had forgotten about the time he hears noises becoming louder and soon scorpius pops out smiling.
"We are here!" He announces and then gapes at the mercedes harry has brought alongside. Harry sees his hair dyed black similar to how he saw him the first time.
"Be careful scorpius!" Draco's voice comes next as he appears with a still sleepy estella tucked comfortably and securely in his hold. Draco and estella's hair is also dyed and they are all dressed simple, very simple compared to malfoy standards and for once harry feels over dressed or better.
"Mr. potter are you forgetting something?" Scorpius brings him out of his daze and harry stares confused till scorpius points at the bag draco is holding behind.
"Oh yes, of course!" Harry comes forward but draco moves towards the car.
"I am perfectly able to carry a bag by myself, also why aren't we just apparating to the park? It is a magical one."
"Thought it would be nice to drive. We could always do that if you want?"
"No, and leave your expensive car here unattended. You won't be returning back to one, trust me." He states seriously. "Also, now that i think about it, the doctor did advise scorpius to not apparate at least the first two days." Draco rubs his forehead and harry nods opening the door for them. Draco, estella sit in the back and scorpius in front.
Once they are on the road, estella wakes up and both her and scorpius stare off on to the streets. "Papa, i want to drive as well someday."
"You wouldn't have to, you could just apparate wherever you want."
Harry chuckles. "Sometimes driving is better scorpius. Maybe you don't want to reach fast, maybe you want to enjoy and relish the journey seeing all these muggle sights." Scorpius nods. "By the way malfoy, how did you travel anywhere considering you aren't allowed to apparate?" He asks, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
"By walking of course."
"Hmm, and how are you feeling now scorpius?"
"Better."
"How about you estella? Do you wish for us to stop for some snacks?"
"Don't worry. I have got them." Draco responds politely.
"So, what do you like"
"Just drive potter."
They drive straight with only stopping once at the petrol pump station and all three look amazed at how harry fills the petrol. He could have easily paid someone else to do it for him but the excited look on the childrens faces made him want to do it instead. Even draco stares impressed. Occasionally, draco would get caught staring at harry through the rear view and quickly avert his gaze. Draco was still skeptical about coming on this trip but scorpius made it clear that he's still on loose ends with draco as he should be so now draco does whatever scorpius asks of him even if it includes tolerating potter for an entire day. Though the irony! He never once imagined that there would be a day when potter of all people would dress better than him. He hated it. If they were back at hogwarts, he'd surely tell his father about it. The thought makes him smile. How young and away from his doom he was. They arrive at the park as the sun shines brightly above them and draco rubs lather of sunscreen on the children much to their discomfort. "Papa, we look like a ghost!" Scorpius whines as harry laughs.
"Wait till your thirty and then you can thank me." They head inside and it's magical, it truly is with a mist surrounding them. Harry wears a hat and different set of glasses to alter his identity and it seems to blend well with the crowd that's busy chatting and running around.
"Can muggles also come here?" Scorpius whispers trying not to catch any attention.
Harry denies. "There is an amusement park for muggles but if you are a wizard, you enter the magical one through the mist."
"No wonder i could see the magical one." Scorpius says. "I just thought everyone could as well."
"What if one wants to go to the muggle one?"
"Nobody would want that malfoy." Draco just shrugs and they walk inside between the numerous buzzing stalls all smelling delicious and draco hears scorpius's stomach growl.
"Would you like to eat something? I have got snacks in my bag." Draco offers rummaging through the bag.
"No, thankyou."
"How about we buy something from here, i will pay." Harry offers and before draco can frown, scorpius smiles happily and nods. Harry smirks at draco and takes him to the stalls though scorpius does turn behind to gain an approval from draco. As much as draco doesn't want any of this, his children want this and he simply cannot buy these expensive snacks but potter can so let him for one day. Draco stands with estella on the side cautiously. He is wearing a bucket hat and his hair is dyed different similar to scorpius's - all black to avoid any attention at all though he is still scared. With harry; him being the savior, he didn't feel terrified or threatened but now he feels like a mouse ready to be trapped. The two return with hotdogs as scorpius gobbles one but doesn't make a mess - draco taught him well. He takes out his camera and snaps a picture as Harry hands two to draco. "We brought one for you and estella." It does look tempting so draco accepts. He'll pay him back someday somehow but today he can relax.
Once they are done, scorpius drags them to the rides and now they stand scared in front of a rollercoaster. "There is no way scorpius am i letting you get on this thing." Draco asserts seriously as scorpius grumps and stares at harry with pleading eyes. "Don't potter. Stay out of it!" Harry's slightly parted mouth closes again.
"First, you don't tell me about magic and now you don't let me experience." Scorpius frowns.
"Scorpius malfoy! You don't get to play that card with me." Draco says sternly. "I am still your father and i make the decisions. Feel free to do on your own once you are my age." Tears swell up in scorpius's eyes and harry throws a pointed look towards draco. "What! You can't seriously expect me to let him on this ride potter! It's bizarre! What if it falls!"
"It's magical malfoy, no one falls."
Draco whispers. "What if they find out his identity. The records form the hospital could have been sent everywhere to banish us as outcasts."
"Malfoy, no one has got that much time on their hands. All the families you see here are people just trying to enjoy a weekend with their loved ones." Harry tells him but draco still seems skeptical and scorpius is still sad. "How about i go with him on the ride?" He says and soon scorpius's eyes are all big and shiny and draco raises a brow.
"You mean that?" Draco considers scorpius's pleading look.
"Yes of course! You obviously can't take estella on this one, she's too young but scorpius and I can go unless you want to go and leave me down here with her."
"No, scorpius is much safer with you up there with him i suppose."
"Papa can I go now please!"
"Fine!" Scorpius jumps happily. "But! You stay with Mr. Potter at all times!" Scorpius nods and after hugging draco, harry takes him on the ride. They wave one last time before sitting and draco has to look ten times to make sure scorpius is secured well withing his seatbelt. He doesn't want to ask around but scorpius has never been on even a muggle ride of this sort. "Hello, excuse me sir. Is the ride perfectly safe for my child?" He asks the man beside as the rest chuckle beside him sensing his distressed.
"Of course it is and also your husband takes very good care of him." The man points at harry rechecking scorpius's belts and laughing at whatever he's spurting. Draco nods stressed.
The ride starts and Harry and Scorpius ascend upwards slowly. "You could hold my hand buddy if you'd like." Harry extends his hand and after much consideration scorpius holds it now feeling much better. "I know it's scary and you haven't been on one before but trust me, you will love it." Scorpius nods as they approach the end and in a second they descend down and around as scorpius screams happily and excitedly, amazed at the speed and the view around them. Him holding harry's hand and smiling with mouth gaped reminds him of teddy so much, he must definitely come here again with teddy. The ride ends in a few seconds and scorpius wants to go again but harry sees a frantic draco sprinting towards them. "Your papa might not think the same."
Once harry undoes their belts, they reach the two and draco cautiously touches scorpius not to make him more dizzy. "Are you alright? Are you dizzy? I have got the medicines with me."
"I am fine papa."
"Are you nauseous? The ride seemed like an apparation for twenty seconds!"
"Malfoy, it's magical. You don't feel nauseous or dizzy." Harry states and scorpius nods still holding harry's hand.
"Papa, i want to play those games next!" Scorpius sprints into the arcades direction and draco runs behind.
Harry catches up to them. "Malfoy, you should put estella down. Let her run." He says seeing an estella wanting to leave the clutches of draco.
"No chance! This girl will run everywhere! The one time I took her to a muggle store, I found her after twenty minutes talking to a watermelon in the back corner."
Harry laughs. "But it's a park and it's safe, nothing will happen well at least as long as I am here." He says proudly as draco rolls his eyes. "No one even knows it's you." Draco thinks then eventually puts her down and just as expected she runs around. "Don't worry, i'll bring her." Harry assures rummaging through the crowd.
"He's an auror, he'll find her." Draco calms himself down and goes to scorpius.
"Papa, I can't manage to put the ball inside." Scorpius stresses in front of a basketball arcade.
"Let me try." Draco tries but to no avail, he always misses. Just then Harry and estella return with estella munching on some cookies. "You brought her back with food?"
"No one says no to food." Harry looks at scorpius struggling and offers to help him.
"No, i want to score one myself." Scorpius says determined as everyone behind them in a line wait annoyed.
"Scorpius, maybe we do this later. People are waiting." Draco whispers scared of being identified. The day is so pleasant, he doesn't want to ruin it. But harry shoots a pointed glare behind daring anyone to disturb them and the crowd is quiet. Even without his true face, he's intimidating draco thinks.
"Let me teach you at least." Harry bends down to Scorpius's level and holds his hands in his own aiming in the direction and telling him something. Scorpius nods obediently and draco can't help but click a picture from his camera. They aim and throw together this time with the ball passing through the basket and draco, estella applaud with many others following behind. Scorpius jumps happily and tries once again without harry's help. He concentrates taking the same stance as him and throws once again with the ball passing through the basket. Draco moves forward to hug him but instead scorpius hugs harry happily thanking him.
"I DID IT!" He screams as estella hops around clapping. Harry looks on shyly ruffling his hair when scorpius suddenly moves back. "I am sorry ... for hugging you suddenly." He says embarrassed as harry pats his hair.
"It's alright." Draco hugs scorpius next and they move on to the next game. They play game after game and finally the children are exhausted enough to rest. "Let's get some ice cream, shall we?" Harry picks up a tired scorpius and draco carries estella. They arrive at the shop and the children look curiously at the display. "Which ones your favorite?"
"I don't know, there are so many." Scorpius says stressed while estella points at a bunch of them.
"How about we have strawberry?" Draco suggests and scorpius nods.
"Is that his favorite?" Harry asks.
"No, i don't know. We don't really have ice cream often."
"Oh." Harry takes out his wallet to pay but draco stops him.
"I can at least pay for this potter."
"No, it's my treat and i say we shouldn't limit ourselves to strawberry." He expresses then after a quick scan he says. "We shall have one of each please."
Draco, the children and the vendor stare at him. "You sure mate, it's going to cost a lot." The vendor whispers.
"Yes, i am."
The vendor nods muttering. "Where do you get that type of money, who are you? Harry Potter?" The children giggle and they all sit nearby in front of the sea.
"It's beautiful, isn't it." Harry stares at the empty dark sea but the kids are too busy chatting, draco nods.
"Thank you potter. For today."
"It's the least i could do malfoy. I felt terrible the entire night. I have been a dick."
"You better stop now or else my children will get used to it."
"They should. Once you help me with the mission, we will appoint you permanently then all will be fine including your reputation."
"So i am not in your criminals list anymore." Draco chuckles removing his shoes and sock feeling the sand beneath - it's cold. "Don't you sometimes just want to walk barefeet on the cold sand and listen to the sound of waves?" The vendor brings the ice creams over in two large trays and harry pays him. "You don't have to bring it to us, we could have come ourselves." Draco says politely.
"With the money you have paid me, i am done for the day rather the week sir." The vendor nods smiling and leaves.
"I didn't know this malfoy could be polite." Harry grins as he hands the chocolate flavors to the kids. The kids take a bite of each finally settling on cookie dough and cotton candy. Draco prefers his strawberry and harry his chocolate. They are eating in silence when a sound erupts above them and harry sees his watch. "Oh, it's twelve. It's the fireworks."
The children haven't seen them before so they hug draco tightly but draco is lost in the moment, staring at the sky above burst into vibrant colors. With each burst, he is reminded of happiness that he once had when he was young under the shadow of his doting parents. Harry notices the children scared and scoots closer to them. "Will they fall down on us?" Scorpius trembles clutching estella and harry's hand, digging his nails in them. Harry was sure it would leave marks.
"No, they don't. They just stay in the sky. Like the moon and the stars." He tells.
"Like mama." Estella says and harry nods. At the mention draco's out of his daze and as a guilty parent he quickly pulls the children closer stealing their warmth from harry.
"We should leave after this, it's getting late." Draco says and harry nods. Around them families celebrate and kiss their loved ones while they sit in complete deafening silence. Once the fireworks are finished, they drive back home with both children sandwiching draco and resting their heads on his shoulder. Every now and then harry plays a song that interests scorpius and they start talking about the artist while Draco stares out of the window the entire time not speaking a word yet surprisingly harry doesn't feel like their driver rather he finds himself feeling interested in draco's past. Who was the mother he wonders. "Thankyou potter." Draco says once they reach, waking scorpius up and carrying estella.
"I could have carried scorpius."
"It's alright." With that the children wave and they head upstairs. Harry doesn't know what to do, he's done for the night so he stays for a while and when he sees the light turn on, he drives back to the solitude of his empty home.