The birthday

Chapter 1

Draco smiled as he finished colouring in the final letter ‘S’ on a sheet of coloured paper. He carefully folded one end over and ran sticky tape along the edge before placing it on the end of a long string. Together the sign read ‘Scorpius’ above which was another sign that read ‘Happy Birthday.’

“There” Draco said proudly. As he wiped his hands on the pink apron he’d grabbed from the kitchen.

“Practically worth being hung in the national gallery” Astoria Malfoy commented.

“Practically is doing a lot of the heavy lifting there” Draco smiled at her, she was so very pregnant. She looked beautifully plump the loose dress flowing off her curves. She would have enthusiastically planned this party. Had she not been so far along.

“You didn’t have to come down yet. Guests shouldn’t be arriving yet. The wards are down, so the families from Scorpius school should find the manor easily” Draco smiled. “You won’t be doing a thing.”

“Oh I know. You’ve already explained that a dozen times, and as I keep telling you. I’m not made of glass” Astoria replied.

Draco sighed, “I know. But we’re expecting fifteen five year olds around. I don’t want you overdoing it.”

“Are they here?” Scorpius said puffing as he ran into the room. He flung open a curtain and peered out. He was a heavyset boy in a neat shirt and trousers.

“Not yet” Draco said warmly. “What do you think?” He asked.

Scorpius looked around the dining room, decorated with streamers and balloons, party hats at every place setting and party bags already to go. He grinned, “It’s better than I thought.”

Astoria supressed a chuckle and patted Draco’s shoulder.

“Mum can I have a fizzy drink” Scorpius grinned.

“Perhaps once guests arrive. Have a chocolate biscuit for now” Draco suggested offering a plate.

Scorpius turned to Draco. “I asked Mummy.”

Draco rolled his eyes, the moment Scorpius turned around.

“Your Dad is right. A chocolate biscuit will tide you over for now” She smiled taking one for herself too.

“How long will it be?” Scorpius asked Draco.

“Ten minutes I should think” Draco said looking at his watch.

Ten minutes passed.

Draco busied himself in the kitchen making sure everything was cooked and ready.

“Darling, it’s been ten minutes?” Astoria said hovering in the doorway.

“Oh I’ll be right out to greet people, I lost track of time” Draco said undoing the apron.

“No. I mean it’s been ten minutes and no body has arrived” Astoria said worried.

Draco stopped dead in his tracks. “Nobody?”

“You did put down the wards?” Astoria confirmed.

“I did, I tested it with a cab this morning, and purchased some fresh bread” Draco reassured.

“And you did hand out the invitations?” Astoria clarified.

“I was with Scorpius and handed one to each parent. Perhaps there’s been an accident on the roads. I’ll call around find that parent list they gave us and see if anyone responds. I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding” Draco insisted panic in his eyes.

“Breath Draco.”

“Astoria it has to be a misunderstanding. It has too be. I will fix this” Draco insisted. “I won’t be blamed for ruining his birthday.”

Draco called and received hang up’s and no answers. From everyone he’s given an invite too.

“Anything?” Astoria asked worriedly. “Scorpius is beginning to ask.”

Draco winced, “Nothing, I’m quite concerned this is a co-ordinated effort against us.”

“Possibly. But that doesn’t help us fix it either” Astoria said. “Do you know anyone with kids? Times like this would be so useful if my sister had children.”

“None of my friends and I wouldn’t want scorpius around them anyway. I’ve just had a thought” He sighed. “I’ll distract Scorpius and make a firecall. Hopefully they’re free.” He crossed his fingers behind his back.

“If that doesn’t work?” Astoria asked.

“I don’t know. I hope it works” Draco murmured.

Astoria kissed Draco warmly, “He’s so lucky to have you as his Dad.”

“Say that after I’ve fixed this” Draco replied worried.

Draco retreated to his study and leaned back against the door with a sigh. “My son doesn’t deserve this” He said to the universe.

He walked to the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder. “The Potter residence” He tossed it into the fireplace. Before he pressed her head into the flames.

Draco felt sick, he hated using the floo network to fire call. Within moments Draco found himself in staring out at a rather messy sitting room. A boy with dark hair and green eyes was staring at him. He looked about Scorpius age, in fact Draco wondered if Harry had looked like that at his age. “Hello are you parents around?”

The boy frowned, “I’m not supposed to talk to Sales People. And they always talk like that.”

“I’m not a sales person. I went to school with your parents. Could you fetch them for me? Please?” Draco asked honestly.

“Why?” The boy enquired.

“Because I would like to speak to Harry” Draco said simply. “If you like, tell him Draco would like to speak to him.”

The boy considered this for a moment and disappeared out of the room. Draco sighed wearily.

(Description of Harry TBD)

“Hello Malfoy? Can I help you?” Harry asked wearily.

“Yes. I understand this may be a big ask. But I don’t particularly have anyone else to turn too” Draco explained. “It’s my son Scorpius’s birthday. And none of his classmates who we invited have arrived. I was hoping that perhaps, your children might wish to come instead?”

“Oh. The poor boy, yeah we’ve got nothing on. How many children were you expecting?”

“Fifteen, as I said your children are welcome to come straight over” Draco reassured. “And don’t worry about presents.”

“We can still bring presents, I’ll just grab something from our present cupboard.”

“You have a present cupboard” Draco frowned.

“It’s a necessity when your a member of the extended Weasley family” Harry smiled. “I can round up a few other children if that’s okay?”

Draco smiled, “I would greatly appreciate it Harry.”

“I assume your still at the manor?”

“I am yes” Draco confirmed. “I’ll see you soon.”

Draco pulled back in relief, “Thank you Potter.” He found Astoria distracting Scorpius in the sitting room.

“Any luck?” Astoria asked.

“On their way” Draco smiled relieved.

“I knew you could do it” Astoria smiled. Draco rubbed her belly fondly. “I’m glad you have faith.” He walked over to Scorpius and squeezed his hand fondly. “Scorpius guests are on their way. But it looks like your school friends aren’t coming.”

“But you said they sent replies?” Scorpius said looking hurt.

“They did. So I don’t know why they haven’t arrived. But I spoke to a friend I went to school with. And he’s bringing his children over. How does that sound?” Draco asked.

“Are they wizards?” Scorpius asked

“They are, so I think we might even be able to play quidditch with your toy brooms?” Draco suggested, instantly causing Scorpius smile to return. Draco embraced his chunky son tightly. “That’s my boy.”

The fireplace lit up and three children climbed out, the oldest was hefty much like scorpius and the girl was plump to say the least. He recognised the other boy from earlier.

Scorpius grinned, “Hello, my names Scorpius Malfoy welcome to my birthday” he smiled.

“Hello” The boy from before smiled. “I’m Albus Potter.”

“Your all very welcome” Draco smiled.

“Are your parents coming?”

The seemingly eldest boys nodded. “Papa was out getting milk. So Dad was going to wait until he got home to join us” he explained.

“Of course” Draco nodded.

“We brought presents” The only girl in the group smiled holding a brightly wrapped gift.

“Thankyou” Scorpius smiled, “follow me I’ll take you to the dining room. Dad now can I have a fizzy pop?” Scorpius asked.

Draco chuckled, “Absolutely. So who’s who?”

“I’m James and this my twin brother Fred” The oldest boy explained. “Albus, and my sister Lily.”

“It’s lovely to meet you all” Draco smiled as the four children followed Scorpius into the dining room.

“You can sit anywhere you like, we have party bags and party hats” Scorpius explained. “Dad’s been making all sorts of food.”

“Foood” James and Fred grinned.

“I’ll sit next to you” Albus smiled at Scorpius.

Scorpius beamed, “Okay” he nodded. “you can put the presents on the presents table” he explained.

“In control already” Astoria grinned.

“Scorpius doesn’t exactly get to show his house off often” Draco mused warmly.

The fireplace lit up,

“Dad do we have to?” Asked a female voice.

“Ah more guests” Draco smiled. He walked into the sitting room. A young girl with red wavy hair stood in a nice dress frowning deeply. Beside her was a boy with messy brown curly hair in jeans and t-shirt who’s tummy was bulging out the bottom. A toddler who’s hair was a deep red, in neat curls. “Hello”

“Yes Rose, Your Uncle Harry asked for a favour” Ron said cradling an infant in his arms. “Hello Draco.”

“Thankyou” Draco said honestly. “I mean it.”

“Happy to make the kids someone else’s problem for the afternoon” Ron replied. “And Harry owes me big now.”

“Dad” Hugo said tugging on the leg of Ron’s trousers.

“Right Rose is the oldest, This one is Hugo, then we have Ron and this little one is Hermione” Ron explained.

“Lovely” Draco smiled.

“Hermione will be along in a moment” Ron added. “She takes her time.”

“It’s because she always has a baby in her tummy?” Rose announced.

“We’ll not always” Ron said with an awkward chuckle.

Draco looked at Ron’s children, and he could tell they hadn’t stopped conceiving children. Draco decided not bring it up.

The fireplace lit up green and Harry slid out. “Sorry just had to leave a note for George. So he doesn’t think we were all kidnapped” Harry said with a polite smile.

“Your kids are all getting settled in the dining room” Draco explained. As he led them across the foyer. “Scorpius you have more guests” Draco said to his son, who was helping Albus put on a birthday hat.

Scorpius beamed and lumbered over. “Hello, I’m Scorpius Malfoy. Welcome to my birthday” he grinned. “Dad said we can get the toy brooms out later and have a game of quidditch.”

“Really? I’m great with my toy broom. I’m going to a professional Quidditch Player like my aunt one day” Rose told Scorpius.

Scorpius led the three children over the table and assigned them spots.

“Ron, Harry this is my wife Astoria” Draco smiled.

“Ah. Now I see, this the first birthday Draco’s organised?” Harry grinned.

“It is” Astoria said with a wry smile. “He did really well. Other than the whole guest issue.”

“What did happen.”

“I’m convinced the parents at Scorpius school don’t like me” Draco muttered. “That’s the only explanation.”

“Private School?” Ron asked curiously. Harry elbowed him.

“Public. It’s on the small side, but it’s nice” Draco explained. “Or i thought it was.”

“That’s Monday’s problem” Astoria grinned.

“Do you want any tea or coffee? Non alcoholic cocktail?” Draco asked.

“Tea’s fine” Ron nodded.

“I’ll try one of the non alcoholic cocktails, I’m not allowed to drink” Harry admitted.

“Your expecting too?” Astoria smiled.

“Yeah” Harry nodded. “I’m six months along. Still got a bit to go yet.”

“I have a month left, it’ll be over in no time” Astoria smiled.

“Ron, come look after your pregnant wife” George Weasley called out.

Ron sighed, “I can’t believe you married my brother” he groaned.

Harry just chuckled and waddled over to his children. Draco offered a polite smile, mostly relieved his son’s birthday wasn’t a complete failure.

❧

Draco blew the whistle, as the the group of children stopped moving. Still floating about a foot off the ground.

Harry, Astoria and George all cheered. Ron Clapped warmly.

“Why are we stopping?” Rose Weasley asked.

“It’s a tie. Impressively, you ran out the clock” Draco explained simply.

“It’s only because Albus can’t throw” Rose said rolling his eyes.

Albus who was nervously floating on his broom nearby Scorpius. His face fell suddenly.

“Albus tried really hard, and that’s the important thing” Scorpius said firmly.

“That’s right” Draco agreed. “Winning isn’t everything, it’s about you play the game. In fact you can often learn more by loosing” Draco pointed out. “And it’s the perfect time for Cake.”

Draco easily hearded the kids back into the dining room. And summoned up a cake that was in the shape of a Blue Police Box.

“I don’t get it” Ron whispered to Harry. “What’s it meant to be?”

“It’s a Tardis” Harry chuckled.

“He and Draco are obsessed” Astoria said rolling her eyes.

“My Dad used to watch it” Hermione commented wryly. “I just remember there was lots of bright clothing.”

“That was just the eighties” Harry said with a wry smirk.

“Happy Birthday to you…” Draco began encouraging the chorus of Happy Birthday sung to Scorpius. As Scorpius beamed at the candles. “Hip Hip, Hooray!” Everyone cheered. As Scorpius blew out the candles.

“Alright let’s get this cake cut then” Draco said carefully lifting the cake away and carrying it over to a table. Where Draco began to cut it with a knife. “How big slices should I do.”

“As big as you like. Our kids will eat it either way” George said wryly.

“And you wonder why Ginny keeps suggesting a no sugar diet” Harry said wryly.

“Pft. Our kids are alive and happy. Nothing wrong with being on the chubbier side” George reassured.

Draco handed out cake to the various attendees. He smiled at Scorpius who was happily eating cake, and talking enthusiastically to Albus and Rose between each bite.

“I think I saved his birthday” Draco said to Daphne.

“You did. I’m greatful” Daphne smiled. “I think this is the most fun he’s had in a while.”

Draco nodded in agreement. And snuck a bite from her cake. Daphne laughed and kissed his cheek affectionately. “I love you, and I love how much you adore Scorpius.”

“I want to give him all the unconditional love that I didn’t always have. Because with my parents there was always a condition” Draco admitted rubbing Daphne’s belly.

“Now would anyone like a second slice?” Draco asked the attendees. Multiple hands shot up, and not just from the children.