Event Horizon by Sea Isle Witch
Title: Event Horizon
Characters: Draco, Pansy, Scorpius, Regulus, Lyra, Lucius, and Narcissa Malfoy; Emily and Bertram Parkinson; mentions of Severus Snape and Millicent Bulstrode
Rating/warnings: PG-13 for one suggestive situation and language
Word count: 5,000 words, complete, mostly gen, some romance (Draco/Pansy)
Canon compliancy: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - SPOILERS!
Summary: On September 1, 2017, the Malfoys prepare Scorpius for Hogwarts. A Deathly Hallows epilogue from a Slytherin point of view.
Event Horizon by Sea Isle Witch
~ Spiral Galaxy ~
A galaxy consisting of a flattened rotating disk of
stars, including young, hot stars arrayed in spiral
patterns, a central bulge and a surrounding halo.
Six o'clock, Friday morning, September 1, 2017, Malfoy Manor.
"Are you awake?"
The soft voice of his wife stirred him into consciousness. With a yawn, he rolled over and sat up against the headboard, tucking several downy pillows behind him. Draco stretched his arms and back and then looked over at Pansy.
"You're up early."
"I had trouble sleeping," she said, handing him a cup of bergamot-scented tea. It was perfectly suited to his taste: just a drop of milk and a teaspoon of sugar.
"Are you ill?"
"No. I'm…worried. I suppose it would be odd if I wasn't, though."
"I've thought about this day for weeks now," he said, pausing to take a sip, "and I'm confident he's ready for Hogwarts."
"There's no question he's ready magically, and we've outfitted him with all the required books and equipment, of course," she said, waving her hand dismissively, "but have we truly prepared Scorpius? His comportment today will establish his status in Slytherin House as well as make an impression on…others, which may linger the rest of his life."
Draco patted her thigh, hoping to soothe her anxieties. "We've taught him well."
"Insulating ourselves to protect the children seemed like the correct decision, but now as they go off to school and face new challenges…" Pansy shook her head and sighed. "Our child may suffer because of what we did then or didn't do now."
"It's been a long time since all that. He'll start out on an equal footing, if not an elevated status. He is a Malfoy."
"True, and he's also a Parkinson," she added, placing her cup and saucer on the bedside table. "Do you remember your first day?"
Nodding, he thought back to his arrival at Hogwarts with fondness yet some regret.
"I thought I'd have the world at my feet, forging strategic alliances, which I did, of course," Draco said, smirking, "but I managed to make several enemies as well."
"Exactly." Pansy reclined on the bed, resting her head on the pillows, and stared up at the elegant tester.
His wife looked serene, yet Draco knew her mind was racing, analysing every possible scenario their son might encounter today. He heard her sighs and watched her breathing as she absently traced her bottom lip. Ridding himself of the suddenly cumbersome tea cup, he lay down on his side.
"Don't forget, Pansy," he drawled, idly trailing his finger along the soft skin of her collarbone, "it was also the day -- I met you."
Smiling, she turned to face him, resting her cold foot lightly on his warm one. He gazed into her green eyes, noting a flicker of desire, and then slid his hands to her waist, pulling her to his bare chest. She kissed him, gently touching his face and neck, while their tongues tangled intensely in blissful contrast.
Rarely did she fail to spark his interest, and he hooked his arm under her knee, coaxing Pansy to straddle him as he rolled onto his back, which she did without hesitation. Pleased with his progress, Draco deftly loosened the ribbons on her nightgown and then eased the satin over her curves and down to her hips.
"Luscious," he said softly, caressing her breasts and feeling their fullness with satisfaction.
A sly smile played across her lips, and Pansy unfastened his pyjama pants, gliding her hands to where he yearned to be touched…
At that very moment, there was shouting and insistent pounding on the doors of their bedchamber, and they froze.
"Mummy! I need you!"
"It's today! Hooray! It's today! Hooray!"
Sighing, Pansy leaned forward, resting her head on Draco's shoulder.
"Maybe they'll go," he whispered, rubbing her hips and bum.
There was more pounding and yelling combined with the shrieks of frustrated house-elves trying to move the children along.
"Let us in, Daddy! Let us in!"
"Masters! Missy! You must come away!" squeaked an elf.
A squeal was heard and then, "Save us, Mummy!"
"Any other day I'd tell them…" Pansy murmured, moving to perch on the edge of the bed.
Disappointed, Draco sat up, watching her relace the top of her nightgown.
"Let us in, Mummy!"
"Ready?" Pansy asked, picking up her wand and glancing at him.
Draco fastened his pants and nodded. "Yeah."
A flourish of her wand made the doors fly open, and three excited, pyjama-clad children rushed in.
"Mummy!" A petite vision of Pansy twirled into her arms.
"Good morning, Lyra," Pansy said, lifting their five-year-old daughter into her lap.
Anticipating pointy chins, elbows and knees, Draco readied himself for the assault, but the boys seemed to have disappeared.
"Pansy? What happened to our young wizards?" he said in a loud voice, winking at her.
Muffled laughter was heard, but the boys remained hidden.
"I don't know, Draco. Perhaps we should call them," Pansy said, grinning.
"Scorpius! Regulus!" Lyra chanted in her singsong voice.
"Attack!" yelled the two boys, jumping up from the other side of the bed.
Eight-year-old Regulus ploughed right into Draco's stomach, causing an exaggerated groan, while Scorpius jumped up and down on the foot of the bed.
"It's today! Hooray! Today's the day!" Scorpius shouted.
"The day?" Draco teased, while tickling the younger boy with sandy hair. "What is he talking about, Regulus?"
"You know!" answered Regulus, his light grey eyes glinting as he pounced on Draco again.
"He thinks he's going to school today," Lyra said, joining Regulus' tickling attack on Daddy.
Pansy reached for her oldest son, and he bounced down next to her.
"Are you ready?" she asked, embracing him.
"Yes!" Scorpius said excitedly, untangling himself from Pansy's grasp. "See what I can do? Look Father!"
He jumped around the room pretending to cast spells in a wizard's duel, just like he used to when he was younger. Regulus and Lyra joined him, providing quite an amusing spectacle.
"Your grandparents will be here soon," Pansy announced shortly, standing near the doors. "It's time to get dressed so you can greet them as they arrive."
Scorpius quickly gave Pansy another hug and left the room. The two youngest didn't stop their antics; in fact, they increased their vigour.
Pansy shot sparks from her wand, getting their attention. "You must get dressed."
"Now!" Draco said, standing.
Stopping abruptly, Regulus and Lyra fled to the door and clung to Pansy.
Draco watched as she smiled and spoke softly to them. Her gentleness with the children always made him feel content.
The younger two ran into the corridor, where the dutiful house-elves waited to attend them.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Pansy wiping away a tear.
"I'm going to bathe now," she said quickly, avoiding his gaze. "I'll wear the dress and cape your Mother sent for my birthday."
"I haven't seen it yet," Draco remarked, pulling on a robe.
"I've been saving it for today," she said and slipped into her boudoir.
As was his morning custom, Draco sat in his favourite chair by the fire with a second cup of tea and scanned the Daily Prophet.
Quality Quidditch Supplies had a full page advertisement for the Back to Hogwarts Sale. Draco noted his new student line -- The Supernova: An explosion of power for young riders with the control features parents demand. -- was featured prominently.
Dwindling inheritances had necessitated they find a way to supplement their lavish lifestyle and provide for their children's futures. With Draco's knowledge of broomsticks and eye for detail and Pansy's untouched dowry and head for merchandising, they had created a fledgling enterprise and a satisfying family life along the way.
Fatherhood had gradually softened Draco's perception of what he had previously viewed as black and white. Still, however, he struggled with his conservative nature in the liberation that followed the defeat of the Dark Lord. He was raising his children to honour their pure-blood heritage, navigate their ever-changing world, and embrace their futures.
"Daddy?" a small voice trilled.
Lyra was standing near the door. She was wearing a white dress and lilac pinafore; her long hair was braided with matching ribbons.
"You look like a pure-blood princess," Draco told her, and he meant it.
Lyra ran to him and climbed into his lap.
"I don't want Scorpius to go away!" she declared, pouting.
"Me neither," Draco assured her, "but he needs to go to school to learn magic."
"You and Mummy can teach him! Don't let him go, Daddy!" she said, dramatically bursting into tears.
Draco had to look away for a minute to keep from laughing. This was a recent tactic she had been using to get her way.
"Lyra, crying won't stop your brother from going."
As expected, she stopped sobbing immediately.
Draco summoned a linen handkerchief and wiped her tears.
"What will stop him from going?" Lyra's eyes narrowed much like Pansy's did when she was plotting.
"There are many interesting things to do at Hogwarts," Draco told her, redirecting the conversation.
"Like what?"
"Scorpius will explore the castle and attend classes. One day, he'll play on the Slytherin Quidditch team, just like Daddy did. You know Scorpius is an excellent flier."
The little witch nodded. "What else?"
"Make new friends," Draco said. "I met your mummy the very first day of school."
"You did?" she asked, her blue eyes wide.
"Yes."
"Is that when you got married?"
"No," Draco said, laughing. "We were much older than eleven."
"Oh." She looked disappointed. "Was Mummy pretty then too?"
"She was very cute and had the same nose you do now," Draco said, kissing it.
Lyra beamed, and her radiance warmed Draco's heart.
"Why don't you wait downstairs for your grandparents, while Daddy gets ready? I'll meet you there."
"Maybe they're here already! They always bring presents too!" she squealed, jumping off his lap and running away, long braids flying behind.
~ Globular Cluster ~
A dense, rich, spherical cluster of stars,
held together by their own mutual gravity.
Dashingly attired in black trousers and a steel blue wizard's tunic, Draco descended the grand stairway of Malfoy Manor into the wide central hall, where his family had gathered.
"Now, Scorpius, make sure to meet your great, great grandfather, Chauncey Parkinson," Draco heard his father-in-law, Bertram, say. "Chauncey's portrait hangs in the first floor corridor, near the main entrance to the Hospital Wing. He made endowments and improvements to the infirmary, you see. He was a Healer in his day, and a fine one at that."
"I will, Grandfather," Scorpius said. "Is there anything else I should know?"
"There are many things a young wizard such as yourself should know, but it will be more enjoyable to discover them on your own."
"Hogwarts is a mystical place, but there are dangers there too," warned Pansy's mother, Emily. "There are moving staircases and Peeves the Poltergeist. Oh, and don't wander into the Forbidden Forest."
"I've heard monsters live in there!" Scorpius exclaimed.
"Yeah, Daddy told us!" Regulus added.
"There are all sorts of creatures rumoured to dwell there, so it's best to use caution."
"What sort of creatures?" Lyra asked.
"Oh, Centaurs, Thestrals, bugbears, Jarvies, doxies, bowtruckles, Acromantulas -- I believe, and unicorns."
"Unicorns!" Lyra trilled. "I want to see unicorns!"
"You will someday," Emily replied, rubbing Lyra's back.
"I think I might like Potions," Scorpius said importantly. "Did you take that, Grandmother?"
"Oh, yes," Emily said, clearly delighted with her grandchildren. "Everyone takes Potions, and it requires a great deal of concentration…"
"Ah, Draco!" Bertram roared, shaking his hand and diverting his attention. "This is a proud day, a proud day indeed."
"Yes, sir. It's difficult to believe he's actually going off to Hogwarts."
"It seems like only yesterday Pansy brought him into the world," Emily said, joining them and giving Draco a kiss on the cheek.
Draco smiled at the recollection of Pansy holding their newborn son for the first time.
Placing her hand on Draco's shoulder, Emily whispered, "How is she taking this?"
"She's worried."
"Hmmm... I remember being worried about my first leaving as well. By the time Pansy left… Well, she had more sense than her brothers had at that age," Emily said, shaking her head. "Pansy will be melancholy for a while, sending letters and packages daily, of course."
He nodded absently, remembering the parcels his own mother had sent him throughout his Hogwarts years.
"How's business?" Bertram asked.
"Excellent. We've just employed a new designer -- a German wizard -- and Pansy finessed an order for fifteen custom broomsticks from the Hollyhead Harpies."
"Hollyhead? Isn't Millicent a Beater for them?" Emily asked.
"She was, but Millicent has just retired from playing and is now the team manager."
"I want to be a Beater too!" petite Lyra said, producing quite a bit of laughter from her brothers. "You'll see!" she retorted.
At the main entry, Pansy was greeting his parents, and Draco excused himself and strolled over to join them.
"France still agrees with you, Mother," Draco said and kissed her on the cheek.
"Yes, it does." Narcissa was the same: beautiful, aristocratic, and impeccably dressed with her hair in the usual twist.
"You look well too, Father," Draco said, turning away from the witches.
Lucius had gained a little weight, but his long, blond hair was neatly tied with his signature black velvet ribbon. Draco thought he must use a special potion to keep his hair so youthful looking, but Lucius was too vain to admit it.
"Getting out of the British fog all those years ago was the right thing to do," Lucius said dryly, giving Draco a half-hug handshake.
Draco knew the fog Lucius referred to was more than atmospheric. It was the reason his parents now lived in the Loire Valley full time. They had given the manor to Draco and Pansy for their fifth wedding anniversary, when they were expecting Scorpius.
"Severus recently stayed with us," Lucius mentioned. "He was on his way to the Far East."
"How is Professor Snape?" Pansy asked, smiling. "The last time we saw him -- just before Regulus was born -- his health was suffering. He told me it was the lasting effects from his war injury."
"He was quite well but just as mysterious," Narcissa said, "and he still wears black robes exclusively."
"Some things never change," Draco said fondly.
"We've added a maze in the gardens to amuse the children when they visit," Lucius said. "You must come soon."
"Perhaps next month." Draco glanced at Pansy for her endorsement.
"No! Not next month, I'm afraid. We couldn't possibly go without Scorpius," Pansy said with a bit of a wobble in her voice.
"Of course not, Pansy, and we wouldn't expect you to," Narcissa replied kindly. "Perhaps during the Christmas break, then. You'll let us know. Now tell me, what sort of wand did Scorpius find at Ollivander's? Was it a..."
"There she is!" Lucius said, spotting Lyra and producing a fancifully wrapped package. "Look what I've brought!"
"I've missed you so much! I knew you'd bring me something, Grandfather!" Lyra said happily, dancing around Lucius as she ripped off the paper. "Daddy look! A faerie doll!"
"It's just the sort of thing you like," Draco managed to say, grinning at his father.
From the moment Scorpius had been born, and with each successive birth, Lucius had become shamelessly indulgent and downright affectionate with his grandchildren. Now there wasn't anything he wouldn't do to please them.
Lyra hugged Lucius tightly, and when he straightened up, he coughed slightly to cover up his watery eyes.
"I've missed you too, Grandmother," Lyra said, hugging Narcissa. "Oh, please sit next to me at breakfast!"
"There's nowhere else I'd rather sit."
Lyra hugged Narcissa again and then skipped away with her doll.
"A perfect child," Narcissa declared, sighing.
"We think so," Draco said smugly, and Pansy smiled at him.
"The dress is lovely on you, Pansy," Narcissa commented, turning her attention back to her daughter-in-law.
"Yes, it is," Draco agreed with an appreciative glance, which did not go unnoticed by his wife. Pansy looked elegant yet alluring, and he thought briefly of their earlier interlude.
"Thank you, Narcissa," Pansy said. "It fits perfectly."
"Mummy! Everyone! Come see what my faerie doll can do!" Lyra called from across the hall.
"Coming, Lucius?" Pansy teased.
"Well, it is an exceptional toy. I had it specially made for Lyra by an old wizard in Paris, you know," Lucius explained, walking away with Pansy. "Wait until you see what I have for Regulus…"
"Scorpius looks so much like you did, Draco," Narcissa said, watching the blond boy strut around modelling his new Hogwarts robe over his clothing. "You and Pansy have done a fine job raising him. He'll do well at Hogwarts. Tell me, Draco, how is Pansy bearing this?"
"She's worried."
"It's especially difficult for a mother to see her child go off for months at a time. I still remember the day you left. It was bittersweet," Narcissa said thoughtfully. "Since your father and I are staying over the weekend, why don't you surprise Pansy and go somewhere special this afternoon?"
"That's a brilliant idea, Mother." Draco thought about getting a suite on the wizarding floor of a swanky London hotel. Pansy deserved some pampering, and he was just the wizard to do it.
"Lyra and Regulus will be spoiled rotten, if Lucius has his way."
"That might be exactly what they need," Draco replied. "They're going to miss their brother."
"Yes, I imagine they will."
"Grandmother!" Scorpius said, rushing up to Narcissa. "See my school robe?"
"You look very handsome," Narcissa said, hugging the boy. "I have something for you."
"You do?"
"This was your great, great, great, great grandfather's." Narcissa handed Scorpius a velvet pouch. Inside was a small cylindrical device made of silver and decorated with tiny emeralds.
"A lunascope!"
"It's a very special heirloom, so you must take excellent care of it, Scorpius."
"I will. Thank you," he said, hugging her again.
"Father, do you know how to use it?"
"Yes, but it's a bit complicated to get into right now. Professor Sinistra will show you during class, if she's still the Astronomy teacher. You won't have to draw tedious moon charts now that you have this," Draco explained to his son, examining the lunascope. "Why didn't you give this to me, Mother?" Draco asked. "I would have liked to have this one."
"It was in your aunt's vault," Narcissa said in a low voice with a pointed look.
"Which grandfather owned this?" Draco asked, quickly changing the subject from Bellatrix.
"Phineas Nigellus Black. He was Headmaster of Hogwarts in his day."
"Does he have a portrait there?" Scorpius asked eagerly.
"Yes. It hangs in the Headmaster's office. I doubt you will have occasion to visit him often," Narcissa explained. "Draco, who is the Head these days?"
"I read that it's Miranda Goshawk, the spell book author."
Narcissa nodded, watching Lucius approach with Regulus. The boy was carrying an enchanted model of a dragon. Puffs of smoke billowed from its nostrils.
Scorpius hugged Lucius tightly, while Regulus hugged Narcissa.
"Are you looking forward to your sorting?" Lucius asked Scorpius.
"Yes! Father says I'll be in Slytherin, but Mother says there's a chance of Ravenclaw as well, seeing how bright I am."
Lucius gave Draco an incredulous glare. "Explain."
"Pansy's mother and her two older brothers were in Ravenclaw," Draco told him. "Pansy and her father were in Slytherin."
"Well, then that's only three Ravenclaws to generations of Slytherins," Lucius said as if that settled the matter.
"Now, now, Lucius," Emily said, joining them, holding Lyra's hand. "Ravenclaw is a fine House and quite compatible with Slytherin. Well, at least in my day."
"I seem to remember a number of well-bred Ravenclaws," Narcissa offered, attempting to smooth any ruffled feathers.
"Speaking of Ravenclaws, what do you think of these claws, Scorpius?" Bertram called, flicking his wand.
A shiny silver cage with a brown and black long-eared owl appeared.
"Oh! Thank you!" Scorpius said, moving carefully to the cage.
Regulus and Lyra ran forward, but Scorpius stopped them.
"Don't scare it!" he whispered urgently.
The two younger Malfoys approached cautiously.
"It's a male," Bertram said. "What shall you name him?"
"Hmmm..." Scorpius said, thinking.
Draco noticed his son looked very much like Lucius at that moment.
"It's so pretty," Lyra said in a hushed voice.
"Boy owls aren't pretty; they're handsome," Regulus scoffed. "Right, Grandfather?"
"Very true," Bertram said, nodding and smiling.
"I shall call him...Mercurius!" Scorpius declared grandly.
"Ah, messenger of the Gods," Bertram said. "A fine name."
"A very good choice!" Emily agreed.
"He does quite well in Latin, I understand," Lucius commented, the pride in his voice evident. "Much like Draco did at that age."
"That will certainly help him at Hogwarts," Emily said approvingly.
Pansy then announced breakfast, inviting everyone into the dining room.
~ Event Horizon ~
A boundary dividing space into a region
that can be seen from one that cannot.
At ten o'clock, Draco took Scorpius away from the manor using Side-Along Apparation. Pansy was to Apparate separately, leaving Regulus and Lyra in the care of their doting grandparents for the day.
With a faint pop, Draco and Scorpius appeared out of thin air just outside busy King's Cross Station. The Ministry had set up an Apparation Point for the morning using Screening and Anti-Muggle Charms. No Muggles noticed them at all, which amused Draco greatly.
"Apparation is wicked!" Scorpius said.
Draco laughed and ruffled his hair.
"Where's Mother?" Scorpius asked, looking around.
A quick scan of the area confirmed Pansy's absence, causing mild concern. As the minutes ticked away, Draco's apprehension increased, but he didn't want to upset Scorpius.
"Mother!" Scorpius shouted, pointing across the road. "Why is she over there?"
Pansy had just appeared on the opposite pavement and spotted them immediately. Smiling and waving, she stepped off the curb -- directly in the path of an oncoming Muggle vehicle.
"Mother! Look out!"
In a split second, Draco drew his wand and cast, "Impedimenta!", causing the speeding vehicle to come to a screeching halt.
Pansy was holding her wand with a shaking hand, and Draco realised she had also cast a spell.
The Muggle got out of the smoking vehicle -- some sort of specialised lorry Draco guessed -- and started to yell at Pansy.
"Watch where you're effing going, you dozy bitch!"
Growling, Draco took Scorpius' hand and strode forcefully toward his shocked wife.
"Are you blind or what?" the Muggle ranted. "Oi! Look what you've done! Damaged me lorry, you 'ave!"
Before the irate Muggle could get any closer to Pansy, Draco cast a Trip Jinx -- without his son noticing. As he heard the sickening sound of flesh falling hard onto the road, Draco slid a protective arm around Pansy and walked his family back to the pavement.
"Pansy, are you all right?" Draco whispered, holding her tightly.
"Muggles," she murmured. "I was almost killed by a Muggle and its contraption."
"No, I'd never let that happen," Draco said, kissing her just above the ear. "I won't lose you."
"Draco, did you..."
"Impediment Curse. You too?"
"Yes."
"Mother, are you okay?" Scorpius asked, squeezing her hand.
"Yes, I just had a fright," Pansy said reassuringly, but she was still quite pale.
"Why were you late?"
"We forgot to give you something, Scorpius," Pansy explained, forcing a smile. She held up a small box. "I had to go back and get it."
"Let's go to the platform before opening it," Draco said, holding his son's hand.
Pansy took Scorpius' other hand, and they walked quickly through the station.
Despite the changes the Muggles made to the concourse throughout the years, one area remained the same. Together, the family slid beyond the barrier onto platform nine and three-quarters.
"It's just as you told me, Mother! Everything is exactly as I imagined!" Scorpius was examining the train, oblivious of his parents' amusement.
Although it was still early, Draco noted Forber the house-elf was already there with Scorpius' school trunk and Mercurius.
"Where does Master want Forber to set the trunk?" the elf asked, bowing.
"It's unknown. Wait for your instructions."
"Forber will wait with pride."
The platform had several small sitting alcoves, and the Malfoys commandeered a wooden bench at the far end for privacy. Pansy and Draco sat on either side of their son.
"Your father and I had planned to give this to you at home, but there was too much excitement," Pansy said, placing the box in his hand.
"We wanted to have a few minutes alone to talk too," Draco said, watching Scorpius open the present.
"A Slytherin ring!" he said, putting it on, but then his face fell. "What if I don't get into Slytherin?"
"You will, Scorpius," Draco said, patting him on the back.
"This ring has a very special feature," Pansy told him. "Inside is an inscription -- Scorpius Abraxas Malfoy -- that we can change to send you messages."
"Brilliant!"
"When you learn to focus your magic more, we'll teach you the spell," Draco said.
"Show me how it works, Father."
Draco took off his own Slytherin ring, which he had worn since he was eleven. He had used it during the war to secretly communicate with Pansy.
Using the Protean Charm, Draco tapped his ring and added, "Scorpius."
"My ring… It's warm!" the boy exclaimed, his green eyes flashing.
"Look at the inscription inside."
"We love you, Scorpius," he read, smiling.
"Never forget that," Draco said.
Stroking the blond hair from her son's forehead, Pansy said, "When your father and I were at school, those in Slytherin House didn't get along well with the other students."
"Why not?" Scorpius asked.
"Do you remember when we told you the story of the two wizarding wars and how our family was affected?" Draco asked.
The boy nodded solemnly.
"Well, before the first war, many pure-blood families rallied around a wizard who was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin," Draco said. "It was a grave mistake because the wizard used dark magic to bend the will of others and harm them -- even his followers, who were mostly Slytherins. Since the wizards who opposed them were from the other Hogwarts houses, it caused a divide, which remained even after the disappearance of the dark wizard."
"Your father and I were encouraged to maintain that divide during our time at Hogwarts, so when the dark wizard returned," Pansy paused, glancing at Draco, "things deteriorated for everyone -- especially the Slytherins. By the time the dark wizard was defeated in the Great Battle of Hogwarts, we all had learned a very difficult and costly lesson, which must never be repeated."
"So, if you hear unpleasant things about Slytherins or even our family…" Draco began.
"If someone says anything bad about us, I'll hex them!" Scorpius exclaimed, jumping up and sneering, his fists clenched.
Pansy shot Draco a worried look.
"No, Scorpius, you won't hex anyone," Draco said firmly. "Instead, you can be the one to provide the example for other young Slytherins to follow."
"We've heard there has been some progress in closing the divide since then, and we want you to continue that by becoming acquainted with others of our ilk in Ravenclaw House," Pansy explained. "Your grandmother and uncles were prominent Ravenclaws, and those connections should give you significance there as well."
Scorpius had listened carefully. After a few moments, he said, "I know Slytherin is the best, but I'll try to do what you ask of me."
"You'll be better for it," Draco murmured, hugging his child.
Pansy smiled at them, looking relieved.
After a few minutes, Scorpius said, "Is it time yet?"
"Yes, it's ten minutes of eleven," Draco said, standing.
Steam billowed across the platform, now teeming with students, siblings, parents, pets, and porter-elves carting luggage. There was an unmistakeable air of excitement, and Draco remembered the anticipation he had felt before leaving his parents for the first time all those years ago.
"Now, when you get on the train, look for other first-years," Pansy instructed. "It will be easy to tell..."
Just then, Draco caught a glimpse of four grown Gryffindors staring at him. He gave them a curt nod and turned back to his family.
"There's a Slytherin Prefect," Draco said to Pansy, thankful for the distraction. He didn't want Pansy to see those four gawking; she'd been through enough already today.
"Pardon me," Pansy called to the young lady with the badge.
The witch turned toward Pansy. "Yes?"
"Please direct my son to a compartment with first-years."
The young witch quickly scrutinised Pansy, Draco, and then Scorpius, spotting his Slytherin ring. "Slytherins?" the Prefect asked suspiciously.
"For generations," Draco drawled, noting Pansy's incredulous expression and the impatient tapping of her well-shod foot.
"What is your name?" the Prefect asked Scorpius, leaning down slightly.
"Scorpius Malfoy," their son said with pride, reminiscent of his father.
Smirking, Draco saw recognition flicker in the Prefect's eyes.
"Compartment D in this carriage," she said, indicating the closest car, "is where my first-year cousin, Mitchell Vaisey, is sitting."
"Very well," Pansy said, dismissing her.
"Good day, Mr and Mrs Malfoy," the witch said politely with a slight inclination of her head.
The whistle sounded and more steam rolled across the platform. Forber rushed to compartment D with Scorpius' trunk and owl.
After a few hurried hugs, whispered words of love and encouragement, and a promise of an owl by morning, Draco watched their son dart to the train.
Scorpius turned, waved, and then fearlessly climbed aboard.
Draco placed his arm around Pansy's waist as the Hogwarts Express rolled out of the station, carrying their precious boy.
When the train was out of view, Pansy turned to him, tears flowing down her cheeks.
"I told myself I wouldn't cry -- that I'd be happy for him."
"He'll be fine," Draco said softly, wiping her tears away. "Do you know why?"
"Tell me, Draco," she whispered, looking up into his eyes.
"It's because he's far better prepared than we ever were."
~ The End ~
Thank you, missblane, for proofreading for me. *hugs*
Event Horizon - The Final Scene
Story by Sea Isle Witch
Art by Alicia
Please see Alicia's art at alicia_mb.