Heaven Through a Window • Drarry •

Chapter Twenty-Four: All in Good Time

"Mother?" Draco called.

"Yes, my darling?"

Draco pushed through the wisteria vines that cascaded purple flowers. He found his mother wearing her gardening robes and a frown.

"I don't think Harry's appeal will be successful," he said.

She stopped pruning the Flutterby bush and just stared at it. They didn't speak for a while.

"What do you want to do?" she asked.

"St Mungo's is no longer the most appropriate place for him."

Mother took a deep breath, then busied herself bundling cuttings into a wicker crate. "Where will you go?" she asked.

"I was thinking perhaps Brittany."

She nodded once and pursed her lips. "You could do with practising your French."

"Mother... Now is not the time."

"And will you have much warning before you leave?"

"I don't know."

Pulling off her gardening gloves, Mother sighed. "I'll have your things packed. So that you can depart with a moment's notice."

"You're taking this awfully well."

Mother pulled him down and kissed him on the cheek. "I wouldn't have got this far in life without thinking about all the different paths ahead of me," she said. "Family comes first. What about Scorpius?"

"I'll bring him home today and talk to him about it."

She smiled and linked arms with Draco. "Good."

As it was a Saturday, Draco didn't feel guilty in summoning Scorpius for the weekend. He'd invented a family funeral and paced beside the fireplace.

Scorpius finally spun out onto the hearth.

"What on earth are you wearing?" Draco asked.

"Father!" Scorpius leapt into his arms and hugged him tightly. Draco squeezed him back just as soundly, and brushed off most of the ash.

Scorpius pulled away and grinned. "It's an anorak. Isn't it marvellous?"

"I don't understand," Draco replied, tugging at the bright blue and turquoise cloth. "It's so horrible."

"All the Muggles wear them!" Scorpius said. "What's going on? Professor Nilsen said cousin Nero had died, but I don't have a cousin called Nero!"

Draco shook his head slowly. "Get changed into something appropriate for the stables. We're going for a ride."

"Love you too!"

Draco kissed him on the head and pushed him towards the staircase.

****

"What's all this about, then?" Scorpius asked. "Just wanted to see me today?"

Draco used the Placement Charm to saddle their horses. He only let Scorpius ride the gelding, Peggy.

"How would you like to visit Brittany this summer?" Draco asked, staring at Giles.

Scorpius peered at him, eyes narrowed. "Why?" he asked slowly.

"They want to lock up Harry Potter. I am considering rescuing him."

Scorpius swung his leg over the saddle. "Because he's your boyfriend," he stated, trotting out of the stable.