I placed a mug of coffee noisily down on the table next to the sofa.
The white-blond haired Slytherin occupying it stirred, groaning as he tried to stretch out but finding barriers in the sofa's arms.
"How's your head?" I asked as confused grey eyes blinked up at me.
He sat bolt upright, immediately wincing in pain.
"Potter?!"
I observed as Draco gradually took in his surroundings - my Gryffindor red furniture; the many bookcases lining the walls; me.
"What...what am I doing here?" he stuttered, running his hands roughly through his hair, leaving it to fall back messily down over his face.
"Don't read anything into it." I said shortly, moving brusquely across the room to whip open the curtains, feeling a flicker of smug satisfaction as sunlight fell upon his face, blinding him. "You were drunk, I couldn't leave you."
He at least had the decency to look ashamed.
"You're a mess, Draco," I continued, placing my hands on my hips as I whirled around to face him. "You need to sort yourself out before you see Scorpius again. I know you've lost a wife, but he's a kid who's lost a mother."
"I know, I know," he said, rubbing his face in his hands. "I just- I don't know what to say to him, Etta. His mother has been dead for almost four months now and I could probably count on one hand how many words we've exchanged in that time. I keep thinking about writing to him, but I just don't know what I could possibly say."
"Merlin, Draco," I sighed in exasperation, "how about simply asking him if he's okay? Let him know that you are there for him, or that you love him, and he always has you?"
"I couldn't even fucking look at him when I saw him off on the train!" Draco roared, his face screwing up in anger as he thumped one of my Gryffindor cushions. "I've betrayed his mother his entire life. I fathered another child he doesn't even realise is his best friend. I slept with another woman whilst my wife lay dying in our bed! I hate myself; I hate everything I've become. How can I possibly call myself his father anymore?"
"Well, get the fuck over it then!" I snapped, getting fed up with this self pity parade. "Learn to carry your sodding guilt for your son's sake before he ends up 'damaged' just like your other one."
He looked up sharply, his face falling as yet more guilt swirled in his eyes.
"I should never have said that about Albus. I'm sorry."
"No, you fucking shouldn't have!" I scoffed, anger making my voice shake. "You don't even know him. And yet, here you are, crying on my sofa because you can't even face being a father to the son that you did bring up. It's pathetic, Draco. So don't you ever fucking judge me or my son ever again."
He flinched, a contrite look upon his face. Remaining silent, he reached shakily for his coffee, taking a tentative sip whilst I watched him, shaking my head.
"The truth is," he said quietly, keeping his eyes cast firmly downwards. "I was relieved when you offered to have Scorp over for the holidays. I could not bear the thought of the two of us rattling around in the manor over Christmas - that place sucks your soul; it has bad memories for me and now it has bad memories for Scorp too." He swallowed, sounding so lost and desolate that I found my heart twisting in pity. "This place, however... it's cosy, has warmth and is full of love-"
"Draco, are you hinting that you want to stay here for Christmas, too?"
"No!" He said a little too quickly, his face turning pink, "I just meant- I just-"
"Because you're more than welcome to." The words fell from my lips before I even realised what I was saying. "There's plenty of room. I can make up the spare bedroom for you and Scorp can share with Al."
Draco went quiet, looking at me incredulously as though he couldn't believe what I was offering. To be honest I couldn't quite believe it either. But suddenly, it seemed like the perfect solution in helping him with Scorpius.
And I hated the thought of Draco being alone when he seemed so... vulnerable.
"Believe it or not, I care about you, Draco," I went on as he continued to stare at me speechlessly. "The boys will be coming home in two days time. It's up to you. The offer is there."
"You really mean it, don't you?" The way he was looking at me, anyone would think I had just asked him for his hand in marriage.
"Yes, Draco, I mean it. But I don't want any funny business. You will be here to help your son through his grief - nothing else." I said firmly, recalling his drunken advances from the previous night.
Slowly, as though mulling it over in his head, Draco looked around the room, before settling his piercing grey eyes on me, a hint of a smile twitching at his lips.
"Okay then, Potter. You're on."
*****
"You're having the Malfoy's over for Christmas?!" Ron spluttered, looking at me, his mouth agape.
"Yes, Ronald, I'm doing it for Scorpius. NOW KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE SODDING ROAD!"
Ron swerved, narrowly avoiding a collision with a bus.
"Won't it be a bit awkward though, you know, given your history?" Ron asked as he blared the horn at an old lady taking her time to make her way across a zebra crossing.
"I've made it clear that he's there purely to help with Scorpius's grief."
Ron snorted which I chose to ignore.
"So, you can tell your mother to expect two extra guests on Boxing Day," I said as casually as I could, bracing myself.
"WHAT?!" Ron bellowed, slamming on the brakes so that I was flung forward violently against my seatbelt.
"Ron! There was no need to stop the car!" I yelled incredulously as cars angrily blasted their horns behind us.
"He insulted my mother!"
"That was in fourth year at school! We all insulted each other's mothers!"
"He called my wife a Mudblood!"
"She called him a cockroach and fucking decked him!"
"He knocked up my best friend and broke her heart."
"..."
I had nothing.
"He hurt you, Etta," Ron continued quietly, looking stonily ahead. "And I can't ever forgive him for that."
Touched, I placed a hand gently on his arm.
"Then do it for Scorpius, do it for a boy who is about to spend his first Christmas without his mother."
Sighing, Ron started the car up again.
"It doesn't look like I have much of a bloody choice," he grumbled, as he sulkily rejoined the traffic to Kings Cross Station.
*****
For some reason, I had not anticipated just how awkward this was going to be.
There I was, stood on Platform nine and three quarters with a sullen Ron on my left and a surly Draco on my right. Neither of whom were bothering to try and help with the conversation.
I kept checking my watch and praying the blasted train would just hurry the fuck up.
"Cold, isn't it?" I said to no one in particular.
Ron grunted.
Draco snorted.
"I wonder if we'll have a white Christmas?" I tried again.
Ron grunted.
Draco snorted.
A distant whistle pierced the air.
Oh thank fuck for that. I was starting to contemplate throwing myself onto the tracks.
Albus seemed to have grown a foot taller since summer. It seemed crazy that he was soon going to be fourteen. I wanted him to stay my little boy forever. But, as I hugged him, I noticed he had almost caught up with me in height.
We parted ways with Ron, Rose and Hugo, Ron looking utterly relieved that we did not need a lift ("I have a driver out the front already, Weasley."), and made our way to Draco's impressive black limo.
"Wow - traveling Malfoy style," I couldn't help but snort as a chauffeur climbed out to take the luggage off our hands, "I'm surely living the dream now."
"I find it hard to believe," Draco drawled as he held open the door for me, "that being best friends with the Minister herself, your pockets aren't being lined with Ministry cars. Yet, instead, she's sending Weasley out in that old tin can he calls a car."
"Yeah, Mum - what's that about?" Albus asked as he climbed in after me, giving a low whistle at the luxurious interior - spacious black leather seats, a well stocked bar and even a little games corner where a chessboard was set up.
"Ministry cars are for official Ministry business only." I said, mimicking Hermione's voice. "And besides," I added, grumbling slightly, "you know what a stickler for the rules Auntie Hermione is."
Privately, though, I thought it wouldn't hurt her to give me a car. It's not like I saved the fucking world or anything.
Albus and Scorpius headed straight for the chessboard as Draco and I made ourselves comfortable by the bar. I could not help but stare in awe at the offerings. Rows upon rows of bottles containing champagne, wines, and spirits of every kind. A variety of soft drinks adorned the bottom chillers and a selection of snacks sat on shelves at the back, including caviar.
"Help yourself," Draco chuckled softly upon seeing my wide-eyed expression.
Never being one to waste an opportunity, not only did I pour myself a generous gin and scoff an entire bag of peanuts, but I also tried to stuff as many bottles of champagne as I could squeeze into my bag, inwardly cursing myself for not getting Hermione to teach me how to place an Undetectable Extension Charm on it.
"You owe me, remember?" I said as Draco cocked an eyebrow. "And besides, how else do you expect me to survive Christmas?"
I glanced over at Scorpius who was staring down intently at the chessboard whilst Albus sat opposite him, waiting patiently for him to make his move. Draco, following my gaze, sighed. Scorpius had not said two words since getting off the train.
"That's something I've been wondering about myself," he murmured, just loud enough so that only I could hear. "I do appreciate what you're doing for us, Potter."
"Yeah, well," I grumbled, pouring myself another gin. "What are friends for?"
I just prayed, that by inviting Draco not only into my home, but our son's life too, I would not live on to seriously regret this.
*****