Chapter Text
Harry sighed to himself as he boarded the train with his luggage to Hogwarts. This week was Parents' Week. There would be lots of activities for the parents and their children to show off their skills. It was also Valentine's Day in a few days too but the dark-haired man wasn't really concerned with that anymore. Things have gotten a lot better since the war ended. Muggles are none the wiser unless they were the parents of a student at Hogwarts. Speaking of Muggles, Harry heard they were even letting Muggle parents join Parents’ Week. It was the first time ever. Ginny sat beside him under the luggage shelf after she had put her own up there next to his.
Harry is reminded of his first time on the train. It felt like it was so long ago. In many ways, it was. Across from him were Ron and Hermione bickering as always. She was probably right about something, and Ron was probably mad he had been wrong. The dark-haired man is surprised they've stayed married, but then again, a part of him isn't. He's sure the stress of being the Minister of Magic is hard on Hermione while Ron just has to deal with annoying customers at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Somehow, they make it work. Harry's own marriage with Ginny didn't last long after they had Lily. They still coparented, though.
They both had hoped their divorce wasn't too hard on the kids, though. They didn't seem that affected, but still. Honestly, going off to Hogwarts was probably best. He was so proud of them. He read and kept every letter any of the kids sent home. He knows Ginny was and does, too. After relaxing and things had calmed down between Ron and Hermione, the train was quiet. Harry looked out the window, seeing the familiar sight of the trees and water as they passed over a bridge. He hasn't been back to Hogwarts since he graduated. There wasn't a need. His job at the Ministry took up enough of his time. A wave of more nostalgia hit him when the trolley came by.
Ron got junk food, and Hermione side eyed him only to then accept the chocolate frog she was given with a smile. Ron grinned and kissed her cheek while she rolled her eyes as if she were annoyed. It was clear she wasn't. They really were the perfect couple. Ginny bought some snacks too and offered to share some crisps with Harry, who happily accepted them. It was nice to feel like himself again and to just relax. He hardly takes a vacation. Once at Hogsmeade station, they all got off and were escorted to Hogwarts by none other than Hagrid. Rooming was basically how it was when they were students there. Everyone had a single bed. The women stayed in another area.
“I can't believe this. I feel like a student again.” Ron said as he slid his luggage under the bed and plopped down on the twin bed
“Could be worse.” Harry shrugged while putting his luggage between his bed and the nightstand
“How?” Ron looked over at him with squinting eyes
“We could be staying in Slytherin.” Harry joked with a little grin
Like it was when they were students, each person was put into common areas of the same houses when they were put into years ago. Clearly, this area is meant to be for students, but the renovation isn't done yet, so it's being used for parents for now. Things are incomplete but not unlivable. Luckily, Slytherin now isn't what it was like back when they were in school from what Albus wrote in his letters anyway. He was in Slytherin after all so he would know more than Harry. Maybe it wasn't so bad back then, either. Maybe they just had a bad wrap, and Malfoy, along with his goons, didn't really make them look any better. That was long ago, though. It doesn't really matter now, does it?
“Bloody hell. That would be a nightmare wouldn’t it?” Ron said as he begrudgingly sat up
“Probably.” Harry answered, fixing his blazer and button up as the redhead shook his head
They would be called for dinner soon. Their other roommates were changing into or fixing the clothes they were wearing so they would look like the perfect images of stable parents. Muggles were just put wherever there was a free bed since they did not attend Hogwarts. But they clearly didn't know much about any of this. Harry often saw other wizards helping them, especially on the stairs. He actually kept a mother from falling off when she got too close to the edge. She thanked him, and he realized she had no idea who he was. It was strange but relieving not to have to go through the whole “yes I'm Harry Potter. Sure, you can have an autograph and a picture.” It made him think of Lockhart, and he never liked that man.
“You think Albus will be happy to see you?” Ron asked as he got up from the bed, stretching then holding his back like an old man would
Harry shrugged and turned to look at his friend.
“I hope so. He's going to have to deal with me for a week.” He replied
“Sons are so much easier.” Ron sighed like he was stressed beyond belief
Harry frowned a little and shook his head.
“That's not true. Lily and I get along just fine.” He told him
Ron had the audacity to roll his blue eyes.
“That's because she's not in her “I hate everything my father does” phase.” He emphasizes his words with air quotes
“I don't even know what I've done half of the time.” The redhead sulked as he crossed his arms just above his belly
“I'm sure it'll pass, Ron.” Harry patted his shoulder with a tight smile
“All parents, please report to the Great Hall for supper with your children. All parents report to the dining hall for supper with your children.” They heard McGonagall's voice overhead
“Man, I could eat.” Ron nodded as he rubbed his extended stomach
“It shows.” Harry said and headed towards the door, not missing his friend's face, falling into a frown
“Oi, did you just call me fat?” Ron demanded to know as he trailed after the other
“Don't remember saying that, Ron.” Harry replied and earned a scoff
“You aursehole.” Ron insulted as he smacked the dark headed man on the back, and they both chuckled
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The Great Hall was as filled as he remembered. Harry and Ron had to split ways since Albus was in Slytherin while Rose was in Gryffindor. It looks like Ginny got there just after him because she touched his shoulder, and he flinched on reflex, nearly grabbing his wand. When he realized it was just her, he calmed down immediately. Being in Hogwarts brought back a lot of good memories but also a lot of bad ones, and those bad ones loom over him like a dark cloud. He knows Voldemort is gone, but the man still haunts him. The deaths still haunt him. It was hard to move past it all no matter how hard he tried, and he tried really hard.
“Blimey Harry. Are you alright?” Ginny asked with concern
“Yeah just…” Harry trailed off as he fixed his glasses that had slid down his nose
“It's being back here, isn't it?” Ginny asked, placing a gentle hand on his tricep
“Yeah. I'm glad to be here for Albus but-” Harry started to explain only for the redhead to shake her head
“You don't have to explain. I get it.” Ginny said, giving him a small smile
There was still love and care between them even though they weren't married anymore. It was impossible not to love her or care for her. They just weren't a good fit together anymore, and that was okay. It didn't change their relationship much. They just weren't together together. They didn't share a bed or passionate nights anymore. Ginny has found a new partner, a muggle from what he has heard. Harry knows she's in love even though the redhead hadn't mentioned them much. He would like to say it hurts to see her move on, but honestly, he's happy if she's happy. She deserved to have someone love her like no one else. He's always thought that.
“Let's go find Albus before he finds us.” Ginny said, tugging his arm so he would follow
Harry did. He walked with her between the row of tables. His green eyes glanced towards the front, seeing teachers sitting in their seats. McGonagall was sitting in the middle as she was the Head Mistress. around her were familiar faces. Professor Sinistra, Professor Flitwick, Hagrid, Professor Vector, Madame Hooch, Neville, Professor Trelawney, Mr. Filch, Professor Rowle, Professor Dromgoole, Professor Brindlemore and… there was a person missing. Harry didn't have much time to question it since Ginny let him know she found their son who stood up with a small smile when he saw them. The two approached him, seeing that he was wearing his Slytherin cloak.
“You made it.” Albus said, clearly happy
“Of course we did, sweetie.” Ginny smiled as she sat next to him
“Wouldn't miss it for the world.” Harry added and took a seat on the other side of their son
Before Albus could say anything else, someone interrupted them.
“Potter!” The dark-haired man heard a familiar voice say, yet it was much different than he remembered
When he glanced over, he was shocked to see what looked to be a young Malfoy, except it wasn't Draco. The kid looked so much like him, though. The way his eyes were ice cold, his pale skin, and his short nearly white hair. It was like looking into the past, but he knew the boy was not Draco at all. The differences were subtle but still there. Harry knew this kid, though. He was his son's best friend and Draco's son Scorpius. Albus talked about him sometimes in his letters. It was not much. However, he had no idea Scorpius was a Malfoy. Albus only called him by his first name in the letters, and the boy was barely mentioned. Harry is assuming, but there's no way the kid is not Draco's son.
“Malfoy!” Their son grinned as the other boy who was dressed similarly sat down across from them
“Hi Mister. Potter and Mrs. Weasley.” Scorpius greeted them respectfully
Harry was shocked again at how different the pale blonde was. If only Draco had been like this. Maybe they would have gotten along. Then again, what's the fun in that right? Everyone has to have a rival. Another thing he noticed was that he called them by different last names. That means he knew enough to know Harry and Ginny were divorced, and the redhead went back to using her maiden name. Albus must be closer to him than he let on. Harry had a strange feeling in his chest. He wasn't mad that Albus didn't tell him, but knowing he was missing an important part of his son's life felt like his son thought he couldn't trust him. Why would he hide his friendship with Scorpius?
“Hello, you must be Scorpius Malfoy. Albus has told me so much about you.” Ginny lied but was trying to be nice
Unless she got different letters than he did. That thought made his heart sink, but he's sure it wasn't true. They talked about the letters often, so there's no way she would not have brought it up. Albus just kept that detail from them. Harry guessed that was okay. He doesn't have to tell them everything, but something just felt off. He'll probably get over it. There's a time when you have to realize you aren't your kid's best friend. They don't see you that way, and really, you shouldn't be. Harry is the parent. He shouldn't know every detail about Albus even if he didn't like the feeling of not knowing something important to his son. It's not a big deal.
“Mum.” Her son whines, making the platinum blonde chuckle
“Is your father here?” Harry found himself asking before he could even think it through
Scorpius’ nearly invisible brows moved up as if a little surprised the older man would ask, but he nodded.
“Yes, father is around.” He said suspiciously vague
“Is he not going to join you?” Ginny asked, gesturing across the table to the empty spot next to the boy
The pale blonde shook his head.
“Probably not. He's usually busy with other stuff.” Scorpius shrugged
“Father gets busy a lot too.” Albus said, and Harry noticed it was to comfort the other, though it hurt him
He always tried to make it to Albus’ events and parties. There were times he couldn't because of the Ministry, but anytime he could, he would. Being an Auror just complicated things a lot of the time. He hopes that Albus, James, and Lily don't feel neglected. He never wanted them to feel that way. The dark-haired man might have failed Ginny in that department, but he made sure his kids were loved and tended to. Maybe he was thinking too much about it, and Albus’ comment was really just to comfort Scorpius. That much was clear with the look they shared. Harry couldn't read it well, but he somewhat understood it.
They didn't get to say much more because the food started coming. plates and cups floated through the air as platters of food appeared on the table. Cheers and other happy noises filled the air until McGonagall stood to make a toast once everyone filled their plates and cups. After toasting, everyone dug into the delicious meal. It was nice to see his son so happy. Albus was much more shy than Harry was, even though he was a little bit shy when he was younger, too. His boy was quiet too, soft-spoken, and hardly ever got angry. It seemed he and Scorpius were truly best friends. Harry never imagined a Potter, and a Malfoy would get along. Who would have thought? Times really are changing.
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Harry laid down on the lumpy bed after changing his clothes. He was full from dinner and really tired. He felt really bad, though. Draco never showed up to join his son, though Scorpius didn't seem that upset about it. It still bothered Harry for some reason. He had to get the thoughts out of his head because tomorrow would be a long day of many events. First was a game of Quidditch. It would be parents versus their kids. Harry was still good with a broom, but he doesn't fly much anymore, so he's sure he’ll be rusty. He can't wait to see how good Albus has gotten, though. He knew his son had a hard time, but he believed in him. The dark headed man also can't wait to see Rose in action.