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Scorpius had never had to fear his dad. Even with their upbringing, his dad showed care and compassion towards him. However, this is not his dad. Well, technically it is, but from a different timeline entirely. Scorpius understood this incredibly well.
And yet, the young blonde stood rigid with his arms behind his back and head held high. Calming his breathing discretely. He feared that even one slightly off breath will cause ‘his dad’ to erupt in anger. He felt like a ghost almost. Just drifting through this routine in utmost reluctance in the back of his head. If Scorpios wanted to survive as Prince Scorpion (which, frankly, he was not a huge fan of), he had to follow through. Even if the hope for Albus to somehow come rescue him, or anyone else for that matter, had dwindled down to almost nothing. He had to survive for h- them. Survive for them. No matter how much his arm hurt. He didn’t exactly feel comfortable with a dark mark on his arm, so, he sometimes wishes it would come off in probably less than healthy ways.
“Do not disgrace the Malfoy name with your delusions, Prince” That name didn’t sit right with him. It felt so... not him in any capacity. Though technically it is him, just in an alternate time. Not to mention that ‘his dad’ seemed no happier to say this. Scorpius opens his mouth to explain himself but when Draco abruptly stood from his seat, Scorpius’ mouth slammed shut. Jaw still tense as Draco pulls his wand out of his sleeve. Over the past year, Scorpius had come to learn something. That if his dad was powerful, then this version was godly in terms of power. The Dark Lord probably granted them even more powerful magic. That theory was assumed correct when Scorpious casted Lumos and the entire castle lit up. Luckily, he didn’t get too bad of a punishment from Umbridge, his dad however...
It took all his efforts to not stumble back as Draco stalked towards him. Then, all sound seemed to stop as Draco pushed his wand against Scorpius’ chest. Draco had proved time and time again that he can and will raise a hand to his own son. But this, had not yet happened. All Scorpius could focus on is the acute feeling of the wand being removed then pushed against his throat. The thrumming of his heart in his ears quickened and even then, he tried to make sure he appeared calmer than he is now. Though he couldn’t hide his obviously unsteady breathing. Scorpious tried to blink away the tears that had now rimmed his eyes, but they kept coming back. His stormy grey eyes followed the plain looking wand back up to the face of its user. He knows that the person in front of him isn’t his dad. But it’s the same face and voice. Same wand. At what point Draco tucked his wand back into his sleeve and walked back over to his desk, Scorpios didn’t know. His ears rung as sound came back to him. What he came back to wasn’t exactly the most pleasant either.
“You are dismissed” Not a suggestion or an invitation to a question. It was an order that should not be disobeyed. Scorpius turned and sped-walked out of his father’s office. Not wanting to dwell on what would happen if defied him again.
Since then, Scorpius felt off. Even when he found the remaining few people who were willing to help him go home. He felt off. It wasn’t a feeling he could find words to describe, and boy did he know a lot of words. It wasn’t a necessarily bad feeling of sorts. Just weird. Scorpius didn’t really think much of it, he just assumed that he was homesick. Like he was on his first night in Hogwarts. All the blonde needed is to see is the familiar brown hair and the bright green eyes of his best friend.
Even with that feeling, he was worried about leaving this timeline. Worried about leaving his friends and his allies. Scorpius never got to see Snape in his timeline, but he doesn’t doubt that Snape stays the same in every timeline. Broody and scornful, but also caring and protective. Scorpius makes a note in his head to ask his actual dad about it. That is, if his dad wasn’t furious with him. Stealing a time-turner with the son of a person he presumably never liked. Anything would be better than the Draco Malfoy he had to deal with for what felt like months.
When it was time to say goodbye, Scorpius made sure to engulf everyone in a big hug and thank them. He just hoped that the people he met here would be okay after he leaves. And with one final smile at those who saved him, Scorpius sighs and twists the time-turner then disappears.
A panicky feeling sets in as Scorpius realises, he’s back under the lake with barely enough oxygen to swim back up to the surface. That panic fades into overwhelming relief as he sees a mop of wet brown hair also come up with him. They both let out relieved laughter that echoed across the dark lake, yet for varied reasons. In that moment, Scorpius remembers that he had barely laughed in the other timeline, if at all. And now he’s loudly laughing with his best friend. Scorpius latches onto Albus despite how awkward it usually is and refuses to let go until Albus yells at him.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU’RE GONNA DROWN US BOTH” With that, Scorpius reluctantly lets go and swims to the edge of the lake with Albus and fell on the muddy bank. Albus thought that they had carried out their mission of saving Cedric, but when was told otherwise by Scorpios, was confused as to why he sounded relieved. Tears once again stung in a want to escape and flood down Scorpios’ cheeks, and he almost wanted to let them. Until the two of them heard rustling from not too far away. As they lift their heads, they saw figures rushing towards them. Said figures being their families.
The first people to run into the clearing were Harry, Hermoine, Ginny and Ron. They all checked Albus to make sure he was unharmed before wrapping tight hands around him. Then another figure sped to of the woods, Scorpius’ dad. They both ran towards each other to embrace one another. But as Scorpius blinked tears out of his eyes, something was very wrong. The ponytail that his father usually wore was down, his expression looked was stone cold. No. Nononono. He thought he fixed it. Scorpius thought he came back to his time. And then an instinct kicked in. Scorpius stopped abruptly, straightening his back and holding his head high. The hammering in his chest started to hurt at this point. Scorpius swallowed the lump in his throat and cleared his throat before bringing his hands forward in a sickeningly familiar way.
“For Voldemort and Valor” It came out as more of a whimper than he wanted it to. Probably not going to end well for the blonde boy. After he lowered his hands, he couldn’t hold it anymore. Scorpius dropped to his knees and started dry heaving as there was nothing for him to throw up. He thought of the rumours that surrounded his birth, and what they would think now. A Malfoy doing a gesture that essentially praises Voldemort. No matter how much air Scorpius tried to breathe in, it all seemed futile. He apologised profusely for his behaviour and prays for a kinder punishment.
Scorpius glances back up to see his father quickly walking towards him. This time, he couldn’t suppress a slight flinch. He squeezed his eyes shut and waited. What came next wasn’t shouting or a wand to his throat. It was a hug. From Draco? No, couldn’t be. Father only ever touched him if it was to fix his posture or to slap him. Yet when Scorpius peeked at his surroundings, he saw the concerned gazes from Albus and Harry. But if they’re here then that means-
The second that realisation hit, Scorpius hugged his dad back as tightly as he could and finally let the tears fall from his eyes. He probably hasn’t sobbed like that since he was young. Well, younger. Draco tucked his head in his son’s hair and held the back of Scorpious’ head. Draco was concerned. Incredibly so. Concerned with what happened to his child that even Albus seemed unaware of. Whatever happened, it made Scorpius afraid of Draco. Even if it was for just a moment. Draco immediately pictured himself before his father, trying to be as perfect and sensible in body language as can be. The one thing Draco hoped to change most, is to never make his child fear him. But now... tears brimmed his eyes, though later he would deny it to anyone else and obviously say otherwise. Draco tries to show physical affection towards his son through small hugs and ruffling his hair, but this hug lasted longer than any they shared before.
When Scorpius felt ready to tell everyone what happened in the other timeline, he did so in a word vomit kind of way. The more words fell out of his mouth, the more tears gathered in his eyes. Jeez, when did he start crying so much? In front of other people none the less. Scorpius had assumed (and was correct) that everyone was most curious about the gesture he did. Ron even asked if he could show them again but after Hermione and Harry elbowed him in the ribs from either side, he quickly apologised. Scorpius gave a wet chuckle at that. After a bit more talking, no tears this time, Ginny spoke.
“Alright you two, come inside and dry yourselves before you catch a cold” Her tone was stern, but her facial expression gave away her fondness towards the two friends. Albus put an arm around Scorpius’ shoulder and smiled at him. That kind smile that made his life so much better. The two of them followed behind Ron and Hermione, whilst Harry, Ginny, and Draco walked behind the two boys. They did not want to lose site of the two children.
Draco and Harry agreed to destroy the timeturner after they make sure that their kids are safe. Potter’s not so bad, Draco thinks. He knew Albus was fine, but he still wasn’t quite sure if himself and Harry were on the same side. But now, Draco’s signature smirk tugged on his lips as he fondly shook his head to his thoughts.
“You alright, Malfoy?” Harry spoke with one of his eyebrows quirked up and a similar smirk on his face. He knew that Scorpious would be unlikely to turn around if he said Malfoy, since whenever he might’ve mentioned Scorpious, it was by forename.
“Never thought the chosen one would care so much” The phrase was said humorously, no heat behind it.
“I’m not! Just making sure you can care for my son’s best friend” Good save Potter, good save. Draco just rolled his eyes and looked up ahead at their sons. Smiling and laughing with each other so easily. The kind of friendship he had initially wanted with Potter.
When Draco walked back to his house and into his room, fury came back to him. His child went through immense pain all because of an illegal timeturner. Sure, Draco still had one, but he never actually used it. That damned ministry is not going to survive much longer if they keep putting people in danger. If they ever put his son in danger again. The Weasleys and Potters would of course be spared from his wrath. Draco had initially blamed the Potters and their recklessness, but one look at how happy Albus made his boy, and any of Draco’s anger at them dissipated. Still, Draco was definitely having words with Granger about hiding one of the most powerful items in a bookcase. As if it wouldn’t be the first place those kids would’ve looked.
It’s been a few long and stressful days, and Draco wants to finally have a calm night of sleep knowing his boy is safe.
It’s been a week or so since Draco and Harry destroyed the timeturner. Albus looked at the ceiling of their dorm as he laid in his bed. He liked staying up late sometimes. The ceiling was made up of stars and constellations that would dimly light up whenever the light shone through the lake. It was barely visible in the day (the star ceiling), but so pretty at night.
Just as Albus decided to finally go to sleep, he heard a shuffling to his right. The closest bed to his on the right was Scorpius’. Albus turned his head, excited to talk to his best friend if he’s awake. There were thick curtains that surrounded the beds to give some privacy, but Albus always left a little bit to his right. If both were awake, they’d typically want to talk to each other. But Scorpius’ curtain was closed. Albus didn’t think much of it though it was a bit strange. He closed his eyes and began to drift off until he heard sniffling. From his right. There was no way he was going to ignore that, so Albus got up from his bed and quietly walked over to Scorpius’ curtain.
“Scorp? It’s Albus, can I walk in?” It was a quiet whisper, but one that he knew Scorpius would hear. After a long pause, Albus heard an even quieter response.
“Yes” It was a simple response. But it was one that seemed to hold so much emotion. Albus couldn’t distinguish which exact emotions but knew that some weren’t good. He pulled back the curtain just enough to walk through then closed it again. When he finally looked at Scorpius, his shoulders slacked, and his eyes widened. Scorpius was curled up in a ball and was trying to keep his crying as quiet as possible. He also seemed to be itching his left wrist.
“Nightmare?” Albus was all too familiar with how people react to nightmares. Not that he had many in his life. But he remembered many nights of his father waking up screaming and his mother rushing in to hold him.
A small nod was all it took for Albus to sit next to Scorpius on the bed and cautiously hugged him. Lightly enough so that Scorpius could easily leave it, but tight enough for it to be comforting. Albus brought one of his hands down to stop the itching hand. From what he remembered of what Scorpius had told them, that was probably where the mark was. Before long, Scorpius unfurled from his ball and hugged Albus back as tightly as he could, crying into the boy’s shoulder.
“You’re not there anymore, you’re okay” Albus muttered similar things over and over until the blonde seemed to run out of energy and fell asleep on his shoulder. Without any hesitation, Albus laid down and tucked Scorpius’ head under his chin.
Even with the ban on the young Potter and Malfoy being near each other had been lifted, McGonagall still sometimes checked the map to make sure the two are safe after everything that’s happened. When the two names were so close to each other that they started to overlap, the headmistress smiled. Knowing that as long they’re together, they’d be safe. She put the map back in the secret compartment in her drawer and fell asleep. Finally feeling like her school is peaceful.