Trusting that Scorpius would be rather more settled at Hogwarts now the true identity of Voldemort's child had been revealed, Draco decided to stop bringing him home for weekends. It wasn't that he didn't want his son around, but rather that he didn't want to take him away from the place where he was truly happy for his own selfish reasons. They wrote to each other regularly, and that would have to be enough to see Draco through until the Christmas holidays.

Although Astoria had been gone for over a year now, Draco still wasn't used to occupying such a huge house on his own. It was lonely, and incredibly difficult from time to time, but it was the way things were and he went about dealing with them in his own way - keeping himself busy with research in the daytime, and drinking more than he ought to every night before bed.

Fifteen months after her passing, Draco still hadn't found the courage to sort through Astoria's things, which lay around the house as though she were simply on holiday. The house was empty enough without her presence, he couldn't bear to have her things missing, too.

In late November, an owl arrived. This time, he knew immediately that the sender was Ginny. He also knew full well that it would be an invite for Scorpius to visit the Potters over Christmas - an offer which, once again, Draco was going to have to decline. He spent far too many weeks shut away by himself; he had no intention of doing the same during what little time he was able to spend with his son.

He was right - it was a Christmas invite. However, this time, he'd been invited to join them too. Upon reading the letter he frowned, raking his fingers through his hair. While he still had no intention of accepting, he was surprised by the gesture, and not in an entirely unpleasant way. Nevertheless, he planned to take Scorpius to visit Astoria's grave over the Christmas break, and wanted them to spend the festive period together in an attempt to patch up everything that was broken between them.

Draco took a quill and penned a polite reply to the Potters, before sending it back with their owl.

Several weeks later, Scorpius and Draco arrived home from King's Cross station to spend their second Christmas alone. Scorpius was sulking like a typical teenager, and Draco was too tired to push him for an explanation. Eventually, over dinner, Scorpius decided to confront his problem.

"Dad... I thought you were getting on ok with the Potters now... since everything that happened in Godric's Hollow..."

Draco looked up from his plate and across the table. "Yes, we're getting along ok," he said slowly.

"I just thought... maybe you'd let me stay with them for a few days this Christmas. Not Christmas day or anything, obviously," he added hastily. "I don't want you to be here on your own but..."

"Scorpius," Draco sighed. "Listen to me." He put down his knife and fork. "Christmas was a very special time for your mother and I. Did you know that we found out we were having you just a couple of weeks before Christmas?"

Scorpius shook his head slowly. "I didn't."

"Well, we did. And ever since then, we always worked really hard to try and make Christmas special. I'd like us - you and me - to spend some time together. Properly. You never know, we may be able to enjoy each other's company... for a few days perhaps?"

Draco smiled. Scorpius faltered for a moment before smiling back.

"So you see, I'm not doing this to be a hindrance or to keep you away from your friend. I'm doing this because things need to be put right between us. For your sake and for mine... And for your mum's."

"Ok, dad," Scorpius said, his tone a little more cheerful now that he understood.

It was late on Christmas Eve afternoon when Draco and Scorpius braced the cold winds to head out and visit Astoria's grave. Taking the biggest, most beautiful bunch of flowers they could find, they walked into the sharp wind with their heads bowed, scarves wrapped tightly around them.

"Hi mum," Scorpius said, as they reached her headstone. He sat himself down on the edge of her grave and looked up, wincing against the cold.

Draco hung back for a moment; he was able to visit Astoria regularly, and so decided to give Scorpius a moment. He watched as Scorpius chatted for a minute or two, as though Astoria could hear him. He smiled sadly to himself. It wasn't long before Scorpius looked around for his father.

"Why are you standing there?" he asked.

Draco shrugged, one hand in his pocket, the other clutching the flowers. "I thought you'd like a moment."

"I've had it now. Thank you." Scorpius beckoned Draco over.

Draco joined his son at Astoria's grave, laying the flowers down gently and sitting himself down next to Scorpius. He looked at her headstone, his eyes lingering on the words etched into the polished granite.

Astoria Malfoy

April 12th 1982 to August 27th 2019

Beloved wife of Draco and mother to Scorpius.

Our light in the darkness: then, now, always.

Draco gathered his thoughts for a moment before looking away slowly, tears stinging in his eyes and not only because of the bitter cold wind.

"I hate to think of her under there, don't you?" Scorpius asked suddenly. "I mean, I like that I have somewhere I can come and sit with her. But it makes me sad to think that she's lying underneath the ground."

Draco closed his eyes tightly. Scorpius still had a habit of speaking his mind, as he had done as a small child. Sometimes his thoughts were difficult to digest.

"I try... not to think of it like that," Draco said slowly. "Because that is far too painful." He looked up and held Scorpius' eye. "I prefer to think that she's in here." He pointed to his heart. "And in here." His lay a finger on his son's chest. "It makes it a little more... bearable. You should try thinking of it that way."

Scorpius smiled sadly. "I like that," he whispered.

Draco gave a small nod. "Let's stick with that then, shall we?"

The two of them spent fifteen more minutes sitting with Astoria, speaking very little. Although they were both incredibly sad, they were both fighting to remember all the happy memories they had - it was those that they needed to hang on to.

"Happy Christmas, mum," Scorpius said quietly as the two of them stood to leave. Draco gave Scorpius' shoulder a quick squeeze, before looking down at Astoria's grave one final time.

"I miss you... so much," he whispered. He blinked back his tears before turning away, taking Scorpius by the arm and apparating them both back to the warmth and comfort of the Manor.

That night, Draco headed up to bed around ten, wishing his son goodnight and making his way slowly up the stairs. Long gone were the days when his little boy needed putting to bed; Scorpius had spent the last few nights reading into the small hours of the morning, staying up long after his father had retired to his room. Tonight was different though. Tonight, Scorpius had other ideas.

He did read of course, for a little over an hour, before checking the time and heading quietly up the stairs. In the corridor, he hesitated for several moments before knocking quietly on his father's bedroom door.

"Scorpius?" came Draco's voice.

Scorpius pushed the door halfway open, leaning against the doorframe. The light from the corridor allowed Draco's eyes to linger on his son's shadowy face. The two looked at each other for a moment.

"Remember when... I'd have bad dreams when I was little... you'd let me sleep with you and mum in your big bed?" Scorpius' voice was anxious. Small. Smaller than he'd meant it to sound.

"Of course I remember," Draco said softly. There was a long pause before he went on. "Come and lie here with me for a while."

Another long pause. "Rea-really?" Scorpius asked, surprised.

"Yes. Come on," Draco said encouragingly, moving across to one side of the bed so his son could take the other.

Slowly Scorpius went in, closed the door behind him, and padded bare foot across the carpet before sitting down on the bed as he had done beside his mother when she was sick.

"I don't bite, Scorpius" Draco pointed out, noticing that Scorpius seemed far from relaxed. Scorpius smiled in the darkness before settling himself in bed beside Draco. He was incredibly pleased with the invite to spend quality time together in this way. Maybe now they could talk. About everything.

Both lay poker straight for a while, staring up at the ceiling. After a minute, Scorpius turned to look at his dad. He could just make out his long, blonde hair, which Draco had let loose, and what he believed to be a grey t-shirt.

"So, how's school?" Draco asked. "And I want the truth."

"It's ok now, it really is. Everyone just leaves me alone, which is all I wanted really. I haven't done any more disappearing acts, so you should know that it's going ok." Scorpius chuckled nervously.

"You make a valid point."

"Albus - " Scorpius paused, not knowing whether to say anything. "He... thinks you're cool, by the way." He struggled to suppress a laugh.

Draco smirked. "Well... that's a well-known fact."

Scorpius snorted with laughter.

"A fact you seem to find amusing," Draco added slowly.

Scorpius giggled. "Well, it is rather funny."

After a moment's thought, Draco said: "He's good for you. Albus. He's a good friend."

"I know," Scorpius replied fondly, smiling to himself.

"I know I keep denying you from spending time there. With him. But if you... he can stay with us for a while next summer, if you'd like."

Scorpius grinned, though his father couldn't see. "I'd like that. Thank you."

After a short, comfortable silence, the topic of conversation turned - inevitably - to Astoria.

"Scorpius," Draco said, his voice taking a serious tone. "I feel there are some things I need to address... some things I need to apologise for."

Scorpius waited for his dad to go on.

"I could have been better - I could have been a much better father to you since we lost mum. You and I know that I'm not very good with... feelings... and I know that, after everything we've been through, feelings are perhaps the most important thing there is in a situation like ours. How I felt - how I still feel about losing your mum... I think it may have prevented me from helping you through this as well as I could have. I haven't found it easy, and I haven't always put your feelings above my battle with my own. For this, I am deeply sorry. You're young... despite everything you've been through, you're still unaccustomed to what a horrible world this can be. I should have done more for you."

"Dad," Scorpius whispered, surprised by the openness of Draco's apology. "It's ok. It's fine. I understand. Mum was your soulmate. She was everything to you. And we don't choose the way grief affects us."

"We don't," Draco agreed. "But as a parent, I should have been able to put my grief aside to help you through yours."

"I wouldn't ask that of you," Scorpius said instantly. "I wouldn't expect that of you. Dad, you collapsed at her funeral. It couldn't have been more apparent that your world had fallen apart. Just because you have me doesn't mean you can just switch that off."

Draco sighed heavily. He felt undeserving of his son's understanding. If anything, his understanding made him feel like even more of a failure.

"Anyhow," Scorpius went on. "You tried. You tried getting me to talk... to open up to you. But I wouldn't let you in. That wasn't your fault. That was mine."

"The offer still stands," Draco said, his voice much softer than usual. "We don't talk about her enough."

"I miss her," Scorpius admitted almost straight away. "I miss her so much that she's the first thing on my mind when I wake up, and the last before I go to sleep. Sometimes, I dream about her and I wake up and... for those first few seconds that I'm awake, I think she's still here. And then everything comes flooding back and it's like... it feels like I'm losing her over and over again."

Draco closed his eyes for a moment. No matter how hard this was, it had to be done. Scorpius sniffed and Draco knew straight away that he was crying.

"I feel the same," Draco admitted in a whisper, a single tear leaving the corner of his eye and sliding down his cheek. "Sometimes, I wake up and I think she's here with me and... then I remember. Those few seconds where I don't remember are probably the easiest part of my day."

"Do you think it will ever get better?" Scorpius asked desperately. He really wanted his dad to have the answers.

Draco sensed that Scorpius needed some kind of reassurance. "I don't think it will ever truly leave us. But I'm sure it will get easier over time. I think the best thing for us would be acceptance. But your mum was so young and so undeserving... so even acceptance won't come easily. But it may come - eventually."

"I hope so," Scorpius said. "Because I don't want to feel this sad and this angry for the rest of my life."

"She'd be so proud of you, you know?" Draco said. "I'm proud of you."

Scorpius turned to face Draco. Feeling eyes on him, Draco turned to look back at his son.

"You are?" Scorpius said, after a few moments spent trying to read each other's faces in the darkness.

"Yes. I don't know why that comes as such a big surprise."

"Hmm," Scorpius said in mock confusion. "Maybe because I don't fly. I'm not popular. I may have been sorted into Slytherin, but I'm hardly their model student... I'm shy and awkward..."

"Scorpius," Draco cut across him. "For Merlin's sake, none of those things matter to me. None of them. You're strong-willed, intelligent, kind, forgiving... and you're brave. Far braver than I ever was at your age. I'd say sixteen year old me could have learnt a thing or two from fourteen year old you, wouldn't you say?"

Scorpius gave a small, nervous laugh. "Perhaps he could have," he admitted shyly.

"I've told you before and I'll tell you again, Scorp, all I've ever wanted is for you to be happy and to be yourself. I don't want you to have to live up to someone's expectations like I had to. I'm just sorry that I can't be mum... just your grumpy, old dad."

"Sometimes, I don't know what I would do without my grumpy, old dad," Scorpius reassured his father.

Draco gave a short laugh in disbelief. "I was so scared, you know, Scorp? Scared for me and your mum to have you... because I knew it would this way. I was never the ideal father material. I'm not going to lie to you son, sometimes I feel so ridiculously out my my depth. You deserve the very best, and instead you have me... with your mum it was so much easier. She was like a pillar to me and... she was the perfect parent... made you feel loved, made you feel safe..."

"You made me feel safe," Scorpius said fiercely. "You always did. You still do." Their eyes met. "You need to stop feeling like you're not good enough for me, dad, because you are. You defied your father to make me the person I am today. The person you're proud of. And how about the compassion you taught me. I watched you care for mum when she couldn't look after herself. No one else could teach me such a valuable lesson in that way. What people say about you - they're wrong. What you feel... that you're not good enough... you couldn't be further from the truth. You're the best dad I could have. I'm just sorry it took me so long to realise it."

There was a long pause. "Scorpius," Draco said, his voice hoarse. He was touched by his son's words - he honestly didn't know what to say. "Come here." He held an arm out and Scorpius didn't hesitate for one moment; he moved in for a hug with absolutely no feeling of awkwardness what so ever. Draco wrapped an arm around his son and kissed the top of his head lovingly. "I just miss her, so much..." Draco whispered.

Scorpius realised, with a great shock, that his dad was crying. He could tell by the fragility in his voice and the shortness of his breath. He held onto him tightly, not knowing what else to do to comfort him.

"What you said about me trying not to cry," Draco said quietly. "I did cry. A lot. Some nights, I would lie here and cry until I fell asleep. Other times, in the shower, where the water almost made it feel as though the tears weren't there. The smallest thing would set me off. It still can. I don't want you to think that I don't cry for your mum, Scorpius, because I do. Believe me, I do."

As Draco began to cry harder, Scorpius began to cry too, his face buried into his father's chest. "I just want her back, dad. I want it to be the three of us again." He sobbed loudly, and Draco held him tightly. Unbelievably, this was the first time they'd openly cried together over their loss. As sad as it was, it was also a huge step in the right direction.

After several minutes, Draco pulled himself together for the sake of his son, who lay crying in his arms. "Ssh," he whispered comfortingly. "It's ok. I've got you." He ran his fingers through Scorpius' hair lovingly in an attempt to calm him down. Much to his surprise, it worked. Scorpius took several deep, shaky breaths, and managed to stop himself crying.

Within ten minutes, the two of them were talking about all the happy memories they held. Draco spoke of when he and Astoria first met, of their wedding day, of the day Scorpius was born. He'd never shared such intimate memories with his son before, and it was as clear as day how much Scorpius loved listening and learning more about him mum.

Some time later, they embraced each other once more. "I don't tell you often enough how much I love you," Draco said quietly, Scorpius' head tucked under his chin.

Scorpius could feel the scratchiness of his dad's beard but he didn't mind one bit. "I love you too, dad" he said. He felt so jubilant at receiving another hug from his dad that he couldn't stop himself from smiling. Draco's hugs were strong and protective and he loved them just as much as he'd loved Astoria's.

When they broke apart Draco leaned across and checked the time on his watch, which was lying on the bedside cabinet.

"Is it late?" Scorpius asked.

"Far too late," Draco said. "Happy Christmas, son," he added in a whisper.

"Happy Christmas, dad." They both smiled.

After so many years of struggling to understand each other, everything finally began to settle into place in the early hours of December 25th 2020. No matter how big of a hole Astoria had left in their lives, Draco and Scorpius had each other and, at that moment, neither could have been more grateful. They were going to be ok.

Author's notes: So, there we have it... the final chapter! When I started out writing this fic, I always knew this was the way I wanted it to end - with Draco and Scorp finally beginning to understand each other and accept one another, faults and all. As you probably know by now, I really do love this character. His story has been so fun to write, and I think I'm as close to achieving my initial purpose as I ever will be. No matter how much I (and I'm sure other Draco fans) hated the Cursed Child for taking Astoria away, we still have it to thank for Draco's redemption, and for evidence that he grew to become a wonderful father, despite his faults. I should also mention Alex, Anthony, Jamie and Sam, whose performances really helped me give voices to the characters in this story. Finally, thank you so much for reading - I can't believe I've been writing this for 10 months now. Please do leave reviews for my final chapter, I'm really interested to hear what you have to say, and how you imagined things ended for Draco and Scorpius.