A/N: Once again Astoria is a bitch in this fic. I'm sorry to any Astoria fans, or to anyone who is fed up with her being the 'bad guy' but it's easier for me. (Lazy) Anyway, Enjoy!

Chapter One

It was a few days before the start of term, and Harry had arrived early to settle in and prepare his classroom and his lesson plan. He'd been teaching, Defence Against the Dark Arts, at Hogwarts, for four years now. He loved it. Yes, the students could be trying and cheeky, but it was very rewarding.

Two of his children were at Hogwarts, James was about to start his fourth year and Albus was about to start his third year. His daughter Lilly was due to start her first year and Harry could not wait.

He didn't feel like he was thirty-nine, the time had flown by. There were times that he would sit and think about his life, and he would think, 'Gosh, I have fourteen-year-old son, a thirteen-year son and an eleven old daughter', he didn't feel old enough to have such grown-up children. But he does have grown-up children and he was forty next year.

The headmistress had told Harry earlier that she had appointed a new potions professor and they were also taking over as head of Slytherin house. Professor Slughorn retired last year, and Harry was glad, Slughorn always treated him differently – played favourites.

The headmistress didn't say who she had appointed as the new teacher, but Harry didn't like the glint in her eye as she told him that the position was filled.

He spent his time sorting out his quarters and was ready to greet the new students, watch Lilly get sorted and enjoy the start of term feast.

On his way to the great hall, the headmistress stopped him and told him the new potions professor had arrived. She led him to the staff entrance to the great hall, a tall, slender man was stood facing the door, back to them. However, there was no mistaking who it was, the unique shade of blonde hair was unmistakable.

"Professor Potter, meet our new potions professor, Mr Malfoy," she announced. At the sound of her voice, Malfoy turned around and gave them a small smile.

Harry inwardly groaned, he hoped that Malfoy would be professional and leave their petty squabbling where it belongs, in the past.

"Evening headmistress, Potter," he coolly greeted.

"Good good, let's enter the great hall and find our seats. The students should be arriving soon," She announced, as she opened the door.

Harry noted Malfoy watching him and he frowned slightly, but ignored him and followed the headmistress.

Harry watched as the students filed in and he noticed that Draco, stiffened next to him. He glanced around the hall, trying to figure out what caused the reaction. He glanced back at Draco and he appeared to be staring at the Slytherin table, following his gaze, he realised that Draco was staring at his son.

His face was a blank mask, but Harry caught the flicker of joy and then sadness. Harry saw his own son, Albus, sitting next to Scorpius and he waved and smiled at him. Al was sorted into Slytherin and from the very first day he befriended Scorpius.

Scorpius and Al were irrespirable, but the blonde boy was a very private person and rarely talked about his family and home life. Harry knew that Draco and his wife had divorced, but so had he and Ginny and they remained friends. He wondered what the situation was for Draco, it had to be different to his, to cause such an uncharacteristic slip of Malfoy's mask.

Harry looked to the Gryffindor table and smiled and waved at James, his eldest son. Harry was intrigued, he wanted to know why Draco seemed to be transfixed by his son. He also noticed Scorpius glance up at the staff table, he spotted Draco and scowled, before turning away and having a whispered conversation with Al.

Harry didn't have time to ask Malfoy about it, as the first years were led in and the sorting ceremony began. Harry spotted Lilly amongst the sea of first years and smiled, she looked very nervous and was playing with a strand of her hair, twirling it around her fingers.

He gave her a small encouraging smile and watched as the sorting hat began its traditional sorting song.

Lilly was sorted into Gryffindor and Harry clapped with everyone else, James scooped her into a hug and began an endless chatter about the Gryffindor tower and all the great things about Gryffindor.

The headmistress made the standard speech and introduced, Malfoy as the new potions teacher and then the feast began. Malfoy spent most of the feast staring at his son, he turned to Harry, "That boy Scorpius is talking to, is he yours? He looks an awful lot like you?" he asked uncertainly.

Harry startled by the sudden question, Malfoy had been silent the whole time before, "Uh yeah, that's my son Albus or Al. He and Scorpius made friends on the first day of term and have been best friends since. Surely Scorpius talks about Al at home? Al never shuts up about Scorpius!" he felt like he was missing something.

Malfoy inhaled deeply, then released a big sigh, and continued to eat his dinner, not bothering to answer Harry's question. Harry rolled his eyes, nice to see Malfoy was rude as ever – some things never change.

After the feast, Harry had to escort the first year Gryffindor's to the tower and Malfoy had to escort the first-year Slytherin's to the dungeons. Malfoy seemed paler than usual to Harry, and he swore he saw his hands shaking, but when he looked again they were still and steady.

Lilly latched onto Harry as soon as he approached and he congratulated her on making Gryffindor.

"Dad is the new potions teacher, Scorpius' dad? There can't be many people with the surname Malfoy can there?" James asked.

Harry smiled at James, he was glad the school year had started, he got to see his children a lot more. "Yes, he is Scorpius' dad," he left it at that, changing the subject to James' chances at winning this year's quidditch trophy.

The next morning at breakfast, Harry, decided after thinking over everything the night before, he would try and make an effort with Malfoy – no Draco, not Malfoy – not anymore.

He smiled and greeted him with a 'good morning' and watched as Draco's eyes sought out his son. "Settled in well? Are your quarters as cold as the dungeons?" he randomly asked, trying to be friendly.

Draco looked around at him, he seemed confused at first but shook it off, "Yes, I have settled in nicely, and no the quarters are not as cold, it has a huge fireplace. Keeps it warm enough," then he turned back to watch his son.

Still watching his sons every move, Draco asked Harry, "What's he like, Scorpius I mean?" Harry thought that was a strange question, surely Draco knew what his own son was like, maybe he meant, what was he like to teach.

Harry smiled, "He's cheeky, but he's a good student, one of the best in the year, except Rose Weasley of course. But then again she takes after Hermione and well…" Harry was aware that he was rambling, but he wasn't used to conversing with Draco.

"…you know what Hermione was like at school. Scorpius and Al sometimes have to be reminded to stop talking in class, but they are generally well behaved." he finished lamely.

Draco smiled, a small sad smile, "And quidditch, is he good at quidditch?" again Harry thought Draco's question was strange, he must know that Scorpius didn't play.

"Um well, he's good at quidditch, as good as what you were in school. But he's not on the team, has no interest in it, Al took the seeker position. Scorpius said that was the only position he wanted, so he chose not to play any other position. When he comes over in the holidays we all play friendly games – he has skills."

Draco whipped his head around, an annoyed expression on his face, "Oh, that's just fucking grand. My son gets to spend the holidays with, Harry-fucking-Potter, but not with me his own dad,"

Harry was shocked, not only by the angry expression on his usually blank face but also by his words. He chose not to question it, yet, he didn't fancy being hexed, not on the first day of term.

Draco ate his breakfast in silence and swept out of the great hall, in an intimidating manner, which in comparison to Snape, Snape would have looked as he skipped out of the hall.

Draco knew taking this job would be difficult but it was his only option, he had to do it. Seeing Harry again last night, caused so many mixed emotions, flashbacks of the war and their school days, along with a hint of attraction. Which Draco dismissed, he put it down to the fact, that yes Harry was an attractive man, it didn't mean anything.

Then his son entered the great hall and he couldn't take his eyes off, of him. He was everything and more then he hoped he would be. He was a spitting image of himself at that age, and he delighted in thinking that would piss Astoria off. Having to look at Scorpius and seeing her ex-husband's features staring at her.

He felt such strong emotions for him, he desperately wanted to go to him and hug him. He had last hugged him when he was three, and that was ten years ago now. It broke his heart to see how much his son had grown, he had missed so much of his life. Then Scorpius looked up and the look of disgust he sent him, almost ended him. His own son, sneering at him and looking at him with nothing more than hate.

Then he escorted the first years to the dungeons, it felt nice, like he was home. The feeling of nostalgia sinking in, he tried to locate Scorpius once in the common room, but he must have been in his dorm room. He wouldn't enter there unless invited.

This morning he decided to ask Harry what Scorpius was like, Harry had been teaching for four years, and has been a teacher here since Scorpius' first year. If anyone would know, he would.

It made him feel proud to hear that he was clever and popular, it made him prouder still to see he was a Slytherin and had a close friend. But then Harry mentioned that Scorpius spends time at the Potter household in the holidays and he felt anger boil up inside of him.

He never gets to see his son, yet Harry fucking Potter gets to, like everything else in his life, Harry Potter always got what he wanted. Harry had best friends at school, kind caring adults in his life, happiness, love and children that worshipped him. He didn't know how lucky he was.

He was now preparing for his first class of the day, he had the fourth years and noted on the list of students, a James Potter. He hoped he wasn't going to be a trouble maker. He didn't have Scorpius' class until Thursday.

The fourth years waited outside, all apprehensive, after all, they didn't know if the new professor was a pushover or as strict as the legend of Snape.

Draco opened the dungeon door, stepped out and in a firm and commanding voice said, "What are you all waiting for?" and indicated that they enter the classroom.

He wasn't sure, but he thought he heard someone whisper, "Great he's going to be a barrel of laughs – NOT!" he glared at the sound of the whisper just in case someone had said it.

Once the class had settled and were giving him their full attention he began.

"I am Professor Malfoy. I will not tolerate any foolish behaviour, I will happily give detentions and take off house points. Do not try me, you have been warned," his voice was as hard as steel and he knew the fourth years believed every word he had said. He decided to teach in a similar way to Snape, create fear and they will do as they were told. If he was easy on them, they would push their luck and misbehave.

"I have reviewed your syllabus and Professor Slughorn has taught you well. This year we will start off by learning about antidotes. An antidote is an item, generally a potion that will protect against or act as a remedy for specific ailments. Sometimes time is all that is needed for the certain magical effect to wear off, such as in the case of Polyjuice Potion, but others require a special application to counteract such effects." He glared at them.

"Don't just stare at me, write this down," he snapped.

There was a scramble for quills and parchment, then the audible sound of quills scratching against parchment.

He took the opportunity whilst the students were busy writing, to glance around at them. He recognised many students, by their similarities to the students he went to school with. He located James Potter immediately, no mistaking that he was Harry's son. He walked up between the desks, past James and he heard James' friend mumble, "Right ball breaker that one."

"Ten points from Gryffindor for such crass language," he eyed him, "and you are?"

The boy looked familiar, but he couldn't place him. He was mixed race and something about him reminded Draco of someone, but he couldn't quite figure out who. That was until the boy replied and he realised who he was.

The boy sat up straighter, puffed out his chest and held his head high, "I am Fred Weasley, Sir," Draco paled, having a sudden flashback to the first Fred Weasley and the final battle. He inclined his head and walked away, he didn't want the students to see his reaction.

"The Mandrake forms an essential part of most antidotes. Potter, name me two antidotes and what they cure?"

James grumbled, "Um well there is um…" Fred snickered

"You cannot think of any, not even one?" he sneered

James flushed, "Well, um a Bezoar. The stone from the stomach of a goat which cures most poisons. Dad told me this cool story once, about Uncle Ron being poisoned and he had to shove a Bezoar down his throat and…"

Draco cut him off, "A simply answer will suffice, do not ramble on. I don't want to hear your family history," the class snickered and James huffed.

Draco had to suppress a smile, James was so much like his father, it was uncanny. Draco had also cut him off, because he remembered Weasel being poisoned, considering it was him who had poisoned the mead in the first place. He obviously hadn't intended for Weasel to drink it, but he did. It was an awful time and he didn't want to be reminded of it.

"I asked for two, but I see you struggled with the one," he remarked, choosing to ask someone else.

"Um, a love potion antidote and it um cures the effects of the love potion," a shy and embarrassed girl stuttered.

Draco nodded, "Yes, correct. Although Love Potions' effects wear off over time if not continuously applied, an antidote exists for it nevertheless. There are many potions used in everyday situations, one forgets how many there are. Today we will be looking at Sleeping Draught potions, it cures insomnia."

He returned to the front of the class, "Turn to page 85 and read the introduction to the Sleeping Draught."

He flicked his wand and the recipe for Sleeping Draught appeared on the blackboard:

Brewing instructions

1. Add 4 sprigs of Lavender to the mortar

2. Add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient to the mortar

3. Crush into a creamy paste using the pestle

4. Add 2 blobs of Flobberworm Mucus to your cauldron

5. Add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient to your cauldron

6. Gently heat for 30 seconds

7. Add 3 measures of the crushed mixture to your cauldron

8. Wave your wand

9. Leave to brew and return in 70 minutes (time depends on the cauldron)

10. Add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient to your cauldron

11. Heat on a high temperature for 1 minute

12. Add 4 Valerian Sprigs to your cauldron

13. Stir 7 times, clockwise

14. Wave your wand to complete the potion

The lesson was a two-hour lesson and they would have enough time to brew the potion.

Once the class finished reading about it, he looked at them.

"You may begin to brew this potion," and he wandered around the class for the rest of the lesson, inspecting cauldrons and giving tips and advice.

Potter seemed to handle the basic potion, but he could tell that he wasn't a skilled brewer and would likely struggle with the more difficult potions. It was probably because the boy would constantly talk to Weasley and not concentrate on what he was doing.

"Weasley, Potter – pay attention. The instructions say 'gently heat' not boil the contents," he didn't take points, he wasn't going to be as mean as Snape.

Just before the bell rang he called over the chatter, "I want everyone to write an essay on standard antidotes, what they cure and how they are of use. I want at least five examples." The class groaned but left without argument.

He was relieved when the lesson ended and he cleared the classroom, before making the most of the morning break. He felt good though, he had survived his first lesson – no explosions or accidents. He was feeling rather smug with himself.

Harry noted Draco looked more at ease at dinner that evening, "Good day, Professor Malfoy?" Harry asked.

Draco smirked at Harry calling him 'Professor Malfoy', "Yes, thanks for asking. I had a whole day of successful classes, no accidents or explosions and the students seem to take me seriously," Harry rolled his eyes.

"I bet you're just like Snape, a right ball breaker!" Harry complained, and Draco laughed. Draco kept surprising Harry. He hadn't heard Draco genuinely laugh – it sounded nice.

"What?" he asked grinning.

Draco chuckled again, "I had the pleasure of teaching your son James and his sidekick Weasley today, and well, Weasley had also called me a ball breaker," he too was grinning.

Harry's grin lessened slightly, "Ah, well James and Fred are good boys really. They just um like to have fun, I'm sure they didn't mean anything by it," he reasoned. Embarrassed at his son's behaviour, now he was a teacher, he knew how horrible it was to have a mischievous person in your class.

Draco shrugged, "No, it was fine. They behaved, talked a lot and almost ruined their potion, but they were good," he smiled at Harry, for some reason he didn't want Harry to think he disliked his son. Because he didn't and he hoped Harry could see that.

The rest of the week went by in a rush and Draco was now fretting, it was Thursday and his last class of the day was double positions with Scorpius. He knew he would treat Scorpius as any other student, but just being in the same room as his son, for two hours was nerve-racking.

The class filled in and Scorpius and Albus sat at the back of the class.

Again he gave his standard greeting, his name and his warning of no tolerance for foolish behaviour. He tried his hardest to look around at all the students and not stare at his son, the whole time.

"We will begin the year by learning about Confusion Concoctions and then we will brew a batch. It is relatively easy to brew and I expect every single one of you to brew a successful one," he firmly said.

"The Confusing Concoction, also known as Confusing Draught, is a potion which causes confusion in the drinker. Turn to page 101 in your textbooks and read the introduction and pages referring to the confusing concoction," the class obliged and were busy reading.

Draco flicked his wand and the brewing instruction appeared on the board as usual. He then chanced a glance at Scorpius and could see that he and Al were not reading, and instead were playing noughts and crosses on a piece of scrap parchment.

He really didn't want to tell his son off, but he wouldn't play favourites either. He flicked his wand and the parchment flew into his hands, both boys snapped their heads up to see who had cast the spell. Al seemed abashed and sunk lower in his seat, Scorpius, however, squared his shoulders and his face clearly said 'and, so what.'

Draco would have laughed because he reminded him so much of himself, but as he was in teacher mode, "Potter, M-Malfoy…" his sons surname sticking in his throat somewhat. The other students pretended to read but were all listening in on what the teacher was saying, all wondering if he would actually reprimand his own son.

"…Did I not just instruct you to read your textbooks? Instead, you ignore my instruction and play a silly game."

Al grumbled and mumbled, "Sorry, sir," and looked at his hands.

Scorpius looked straight into his dad's eyes, "I have already read it," he coolly replied.

Draco was momentarily speechless, that was the first time he had heard his sons voice, for a long, long time.

"Mr Potter, have you also read the required text?" he asked

Al blushed and again mumbled, "No sir,"

"Just because you have read it, Mr Malfoy, it doesn't mean you can distract other students, who have not read it. Five points each from Slytherin and read the text again Mr Malfoy, and Mr Potter you read it too. If I catch you playing silly games again in my class, I will split you up and you will sit opposite sides of the classroom," his voice was stern.

Al remained silent and pulled his book towards him, Scorpius also remained silent, but ignored his book and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at his dad.

"Mr Malfoy, do not ignore my instructions. I will give you detention if you continue with this childish behaviour." He stated.

Scorpius narrowed his eyes but pulled his book towards him, he didn't want to spend an evening in detention with his dad - alone.

Soon the class were brewing the concoction and Draco was pleased to see that Scorpius was a natural at potions, he barely needed to double-check the instructions and was the first to complete a perfect potion. He then proceeded to help Al, who seemed to be getting in a mess with something.

Draco walked over to Scorpius' workbench, peered into the caldron, smiled and declared, "Very good. This class" he turned to face the other students, his voice rising out clear, "is a perfect Confusing Concoction – you can learn a thing or two from Mr Malfoy. Ten points to Slytherin," he then walked away, to help a third-year who seemed to be crying into their cauldron.

Al elbowed Scorpius, "We lost ten points and gained ten points, so we're back where we started. Cool huh?"

Scorpius scrunched up his nose. On one hand, he was pleased he had brewed the concoction perfectly, but on the other, he wished he purposely messed it up to piss off his dad. It didn't sit well with him, how similar they were. In the last week, he had begun to notice many things on how they were alike. The obvious one was looks, then the sneer and cool indifferent tone, his dad was obviously skilled in potions and he too was naturally good at it. Al had mentioned that he found out from his dad that, Scorpius' dad was in Slytherin and was quidditch seeker.

Also silly things, like how his dad would eat his meals and what food he ate. All very similar to his choices, sharing the same likes and dislikes, he would watch his dad when he wasn't looking. It twisted his insides to think he was so similar to that awful man.

After class, Draco asked Scorpius to stay behind. Al said he would wait in the corridor and left.

"Son…"

"Don't call me that, you have no right to call me that!" Scorpius snapped.

"Scorpius, please. Can't we just talk?"

He sneered at his dad, "I have nothing I want to talk to you about."

"Scorpius..." he sounded desperate, begging almost.

"I don't know why you are here, Draco, but you're not wanted," and Draco felt like he had been stabbed in the heart, Scorpius had called him Draco and not dad, and he had said he didn't want him here.

Harry was on his way to find Draco, he was going to ask if he wanted to get involved with coaching quidditch with him. Reaching the corridor to his classroom he saw Al hovering outside.

"Al, what are you doing? Dinner has started," he was concerned, his son never wasted time getting to dinner.

"Oh hey, dad. I'm waiting for Scorpius. He's talking to Mr Malfoy."

Harry could hear raised voices, and he frowned, "Al, go ahead to dinner. I will tell Scorpius you have gone. I don't think Mr Malfoy would want anyone to overhear."

Al reluctantly left, he knew Scorpius would tell him all about it anyway.

Harry waited until his son was gone and then hovered just outside the classroom, the door was open slightly and he could hear the conversation that was taking place inside.

"Why Draco, Why did you have to come here? Just leave!" Scorpius shouted.

Harry thought it was weird that Scorpius had called him Draco and not dad.

"I wanted to see you. It was the only way," he sounded sad.

"If mother, finds out, she will go mental. She will make me transfer to, Durmstrang immediately. I don't want to leave Hogwarts, I have friends here, and I like it here," he was still shouting.

"Then don't tell her, Scorpius. She doesn't need to know," he countered

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to be my teacher?" he snapped

"I tried, I really did. I sent owls, all got returned un-opened. I fire called, but your mother has blocked me. I tried everything. She wouldn't let me see you, this was the only way I could spend time with you," he told his son.

"Well, have you ever considered that maybe I don't want to spend time with you? I hate you, Draco. I hate everything about you. I won't tell mother you are here, as I want to stay in Hogwarts, but to me, you are just my teacher, nothing more," he stomped out of the classroom, not even noticing Harry stood staring gobsmacked after him.

Harry knew Draco would hex him if he discovered Harry had overheard, so he snuck past the classroom and headed for dinner. Draco skipped dinner that night and Harry was actually worried about him. It cannot be nice for your own son to scream in your face, that they hate you.

The next day at breakfast Draco looked tired like he hadn't slept and Harry wanted to talk to him to soothe him, he had no idea why.

Harry had Scorpius and Al for DADA, after lunch and he decided to ask to speak with Scorpius after class.

"Morning class. Today we will move on to Hinkypunks. A Hinkypunk is a diminutive, one-legged creature with the appearance of wispy blue, grey or white smoke. It has a proclivity for luring travellers off of their paths at night, into treacherous bogs or wetlands under the guise of a helpful, lamp-bearing being. They are impish varmints who revel in inconveniencing magical folk and non-magical folk alike. They can propel fireballs far from their lamps, causing serious damage. They also sporadically emit hollering and grunting noises."

He smiled at his class, "Delightful creatures I'm sure," and he gave a small laugh. His students liked him and he thought his teaching style was similar to Remus' teaching style.

They discussed the Hinkypunks and he asked them questions, then he showed them one he had trapped in a tank. The remainder of the lesson was spent discussing how to defend yourself against them.

He set an essay and then asked Scorpius and Al to remain behind.

"Scorpius, I happened to hear your discussion with your dad yesterday evening," he went out and said it, no point pussyfooting around.

Scorpius snapped, "Don't call him that. He's not my dad, yes I know he is, but to me, he's nothing." Harry felt sad, the tone of Scorpius voice showed he was very serious.

"Scorpius maybe you should try and speak with him. He is trying. He's not a bad person..."

Again Scorpius cut him off, "Answer me one thing, Mr Potter. Does Draco have the dark mark, was he a death eater?"

Harry sighed, "Yes. But it's not as black and white as that. He had his reasons..."

Scorpius snorted, cutting Harry off again, "I'm sorry Mr Potter, but it's none of your business," and he walked out the classroom. Al sent his dad an apologetic look and hurried out after him.