sesheta66 | Second Chance (2025 Christmas Story)

Title: Second Chance – Chapter Sixteen
Author:

sesheta_66 || AO3: sesheta_66
Prompts used:

slythindor100’s early bird prompt E—Mugs of Hot Chocolate (picture under the cut) and

dracoharry100’s prompt 19: Christmas Star
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Word Count: 1.9K (this part)
Rating: R (eventually; this part PG)
Warning: none
Summary: This is the second Christmas for Draco without Astoria and Harry's first since Ginny remarried. Will best friends Scorpius and Albus be just what they need to rekindle something they'd thought fleeting and lost forever?
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Written for the

slythindor100 Early Bird 25 Days of Draco and Harry and the

Second Chance – Chapter 16

Harry woke the next morning after a strange night. He'd dreamt of school days and potions and dragons and dead children. Not the best sleep he'd ever had.

He decided to go into Hogsmeade early and walk around for a bit, get some fresh air, clear his head. On his way to the pub, he bumped into Al and Scorpius coming out of Honeydukes. "Hello, boys."

"Hello, Mr Potter."

"Hey, Dad. You're early."

"I am. Thought I'd stretch my legs and get some fresh air before we met up." He looked down at the bags the boys were carrying. "Looks like you've got a head start."

Al looked at the bags in his hands, then at Harry, confused. "These aren't presents, just stuff."

"Just stuff, eh? My mistake."

"Okay, well, I'll see you later," Scorpius said.

"You're welcome to join us for lunch," Harry offered.

He looked wide-eyed at Harry. "Um, no thanks. I need to pick up something for my dad." He sighed. "If I can figure out what to get him."

Harry smiled. "As I recall, he had quite the sweet tooth when we were in school. If I'm not mistaken, chocolate was one of his favourites." At Scorpius' odd look, Harry continued, "Your grandmother used to send him packages all the time and he'd make sure everyone knew when they arrived."

Scorpius laughed. "That sounds about right."

"I also hear he's a pretty big deal in potions. The shops might have special packages of unusual ingredients made up for Christmas. Or some potions-related things like a tree ornament or something. If you ask, they're usually pretty helpful."

"Really?"

"Yep. I ask for stuff like that all the time when I can't think of something, or when someone is hard to buy for."

He grinned. "Thanks, Mr Potter."

"You're welcome. And good luck."

When Scorpius left, Albus gave Harry a weird look. "What?" Harry asked.

"Since when are you good at figuring out what to buy people?"

"Hey, I get gifts for you kids all the time."

"Yeah, but you know us. And we drop hints all the time. Or just tell you what we want. And you have Aunt Hermione to help you."

Harry shrugged. "I knew his dad in school. And as a dad, I know that we like pretty much anything from our kids. I'm sure he'll love whatever Scorpius gets for him."

Al dropped it and they made their way to the Three Broomsticks. "Your brother didn't want to join us?" Harry asked.

Al shrugged. "Didn't ask. He probably has all his stuff bought anyway."

Harry thought it might have more to do with wanting time away from James, but he left it alone. He enjoyed his time with each of his kids on their own anyway, and would make time with James and Lily (still too young for Hogsmeade trips) during the break. Besides, Al would be going to stay with Scorpius for a few days, so this might be his only chance for father-son time alone with him. It had been easier before the divorce, but what could you do? You play the cards life deals you. "All good. We'll get things done faster this way. Did you have anything in mind?"

Al shrugged. "Not really. I was kinda hoping things would jump out at me. Or maybe you might have some ideas."

Harry chuckled. "I thought you just said I wasn't good at picking gifts."

Al frowned. "Well, I guess you aren't that bad."

Harry opened the door, its window bearing a nativity scene complete with Christmas star, all done in fake snow, and motioned for Al to go inside. "In fairness, hoping stuff will jump out at me is usually how I do my shopping too."

They found a table, then Harry ordered sandwiches and brought two hot chocolates back to the table for them. "So, anything new to report?"

"Nothing to report." He fidgeted in his seat. "But I do have something to ask."

"No, you may not buy your grandmother something from Wizard Wheezes for Christmas."

Al rolled his eyes. "Not that. It's only … you know how Scorpius' mum died last year and all? Well, it's just him and his dad at their place now. And last year was awful. His grandmother sort of took over. But he's hoping this year will be better."

Harry wasn't sure where this was going, besides asking to stay over there. "Go on."

"Well, Scorpius has asked me to go stay with him for a few days." Before Harry could reply, he ploughed ahead. "I know we aren't home with you for long, but it would be really great for Scorpius if I went to stay for a bit. And you've got James and Lily to keep you company. It's not like you'd be alone. And I've never been to his house before – his mum was so sick, he never had anyone over. And this way we could hang out, but he could still be with his dad. And his dad said it was okay, so long as you said it was okay. And I know Uncle Ron hates him, but you don't, do you?"

"Whoa, whoa there. Slow down."

"Can I, Dad? Pleeeease?"

Harry laughed. "Wow, I haven't heard you whine like that for years." Al sat up straight, eyes wide. "Relax, I know whining usually gets you nothing, but–"

"So I can?"

Harry chuckled. "First of all, no I don't hate Scorpius' dad. We didn't like each other much in school, but that was decades ago. We've all grown up since then."

"But Uncle Ron–"

"Apparently hasn't grown up as much as the rest of us." He winked and Al laughed. "Just don't tell him I said that."

"Aunt Hermione tells him that all the time."

"Too true. Now we would have to work out details later, because your mother and I haven't finalised our own schedule, and we're not sure when we're going to Teddy's yet, but I don't have a problem with you going to stay with Scorpius."

Al's face lit up. "Thanks, Dad!"

Still wondering about the over-the-top build-up, Harry waited for more, but before Al could say anything else, their food arrived. After their sandwiches were done, Al started to fidget again. "So, Dad?"

Here it was. "Hmm?"

"So I was thinking, maybe Scorpius could come to our Christmas party?"

Well that was easy. "I think that would be a great idea."

"And–" He stared at the table. Harry waited. "Well, you know how I said that Scorpius' mum died and how it was really awful last year?"

Harry leaned forward. "Yes."

"Well … I think he's kinda worried about his dad. He says he works too much, and his grandmother worries about him. I thought maybe he could come too?"

Harry sat back in his seat again, not quite sure what to say. Especially knowing that Draco was, in fact, working right now. On something for Harry. Shit. Harry hoped he wasn't working too much. He did say potions were pretty much his whole life. He also recalled Draco's initial reaction to Harry's request: assuming that Ron was trying to set him up. And Ron would be at the party. "I–"

"All the other kids will have their parents there too. It only seems fair."

Harry narrowed his eyes. Slytherin through and through, this one. "I'm not so sure he would want to come over." It was true. How the hell would they navigate that? It was one thing to have him working at the Ministry. He could keep Ron and Draco apart there. But in his home? Sure, the party often broke into separate groups, kids in one room, some in the kitchen, some in the living room. But still.

"Because of Uncle Ron?"

Well, duh. Of course because of Ron. "I'm not so sure he'd be comfortable in any event. House full of Gryffindors and all that."

"Hello? Not all of us are Gryffindors, you know."

Harry snorted. "Yes, I do know that."

"And Rose really likes Scorpius. She'll make sure Uncle Ron's nice to him and his dad." Harry thought that would be a tall order. "And Aunt Hermione will too." That was more likely.

"Look, Al, I just–"

"But isn't Christmas a time for friends and family? Scorpius is my best friend and his dad is family. Besides, Teddy will be there, and he's their cousin. It doesn't seem fair that Scorpius would be the only kid without his parent there." He crossed his arms over his chest. "It's not Uncle Ron's house, it's ours!"

Harry considered his son. "That's right, Al. It is our house. And Christmas is a time for family and friends. But remember that Uncle Ron is both of those things. You may not like it, but it could be very uncomfortable."

"But–"

"Hang on. It could be very uncomfortable for Scorpius's dad too. And if it's uncomfortable for him, it might be uncomfortable for Scorpius too. I don't want your friend to feel uncomfortable visiting our home. Does that make sense?"

He sat there scowling and Harry could imagine the wheels of his brain spinning wildly. He got up to go to the washroom, to give him space. "I'll be right back."

When he returned, Al looked him in the eye. "What if Mr Malfoy says yes, that he'll come over?"

"I don't think–"

"But what if he is okay with it? Will you let him come over?"

"I–"

"How about if he just brings Scorpius over? Then he can come inside and see if he wants to stay. Aunt Hermione can keep Uncle Ron away from him. And if it does get uncomfortable, he can leave and just come back to get Scorpius later."

Harry thought that sounded reasonable. Well thought out. But with Ron in the mix, it was utterly unlikely to end well. "And who will be the one to tell Uncle Ron about this year's new guests?"

Al was unable to hide his smirk. In his mind, he'd won. "I think Rose should. She can lay it on thick, saying it would be great to have Scorpius come to the party, remind her dad that his mum died last year. Say how everyone has their parents come too."

Harry raised a brow. "You mean the way you just did to me?"

He had the grace to blush at that. Undeterred at getting caught in his own scheme, he went on. "And maybe you could talk to Aunt Hermione?" he asked hopefully.

"And I suppose Scorpius will go at it from the other flank?" He thought about how he'd approach things. "Maybe tell his dad that it's only fair, if they have you over that he has to let Scorpius come to our house? And of course, if all the other parents are there, he can't be the only one on his own? Does that sound about right?"

Al tilted his head and scrutinised Harry for a few moments. "You weren't lying when you said the hat almost put you in Slytherin, were you?"

Harry raised a brow and shot his son a smirk of his own. "No, Al, I was not."