Punishment and Salvation

Published: July 31st, 2025

Happy Birthday Harry Potter!

Natalie handed him a message from Ron claiming he was just playing along with Robards and was on his side. Harry hoped Ron wasn't lying. Ron also said that Malfoy was doing okay, but Ron needed to know if his son was okay. Harry left a note with Natalie explaining what had happened so far and the boy's handling of it.

By that time, Robards found out he was back and called him in to get reamed, again. He pressed again for information about Malfoy's son. Harry, very impolitely, told him to go screw himself. Killens body-checked him as he left Robards, who was still screaming at him. Another flunkie spilled hot coffee on him.

Harry wondered if the Auror office was the right place for him anymore. He had felt disillusioned for a long time. It was never enjoyable or satisfying, and his hopes that the system would change were dying. After enduring hours of underhanded comments and hostile looks, he left early. He decided to stop by the WWR to file an official complaint of workplace harassment. Harry assumed his days in the Aurors were limited, anyway.

Then, he went to MCAPs to make sure that he was doing everything correctly. The MCAPS receptionist was gushing about how proud she was that he was checking up on an abandoned child.

"He's not abandoned. His father was arrested and is being held for trial," he clarified.

"Yes, and we all know what's going to happen to that Death Eater!" she scoffed, as though it was preordained.

"No, we don't," he shot back.

She waved her hand, dismissively. "Well, in any event, we aren't going to release a child back to a former Death Eater."

"Even if he's found innocent?"

"Based on the report I have, Mr. Malfoy took his infant son on the run with him, and they were found squatting in a condemned muggle building. So, no, his parental rights are suspended. He'd have to petition to get his son back and prove he's a competent parent," she said, pursing his lips.

Harry's heart fell, but he didn't argue it. Then the woman checked and said that the child's great aunt would have to apply for permanent custody as the next of kin. As of now, Andromeda Tonks only had emergency custody. When Harry asked about the difference, she explained that if permanent custody is granted, MCAPS can't terminate the custody arrangement without grounds and a hearing. With permanent custody, the child would be with that guardian unless the child becomes of age, the guardian was found to be unfit, or the parental rights of the parents were restored.

"And if Andromeda Tonks stays with only emergency custody?" he asked.

"If the MCAPS case worker feels that the home is not suitable or an incident occurs, they can remove and reassign the child to a new foster home without a trial. Additionally, there are mandatory home visits, as the child is a ward of the Ministry. We also may send the child to a muggle orphanage if no suitable home is found, "she said, nonchalantly as Harry froze. "Oh... don't worry, he was raised as a muggle, so it's better if we send him to a mu...."

"Stop!" Harry growled, and she looked at him. "I was abused in my muggle home, Madam. Your presumptions are wrong. Can I have the paperwork for permanent custody?"

She grimaced. "This child is the son of a Death Eater, Mr. Potter!"

"I don't care. It doesn't matter, and it never will. Papers."

She scanned the file. "I can give you them, but it says here that Andromeda Tonks already has permanent custody of a child, Theodore Lupin. She'd have to provide proof that she has the means and ability to care for two small children. The caseworker might question her ability at her age."

Harry glared and snapped, "I'm applying for custody. I definitely have the means and ability to care for him. I'll have his aunt sign off on it, if necessary."

She looked shocked but quickly got the papers, and Harry filled them out in front of her. He handed them back.

"I'd appreciate expediency and discretion. I will file a grievance if this is leaked publicly. I will also find a barrister to bring a civil action as well, understand?" Harry sneered.

"I... of course, Auror Potter! But it is shocking that you, of all people, would adopt a Death Eater's child."

Harry glared at her. "The child is innocent, and his father was a school friend of mine who saved my life and is the reason why we won the war. I'd appreciate it if you'd show some empathy and professionalism."

She blushed and took his papers to be filed. Harry went to the Apparation Point and went to Andromeda's ward line. Then he added every ward and protection charm he knew short of a Fidelius Charm. He didn't want to take any chances with the children here.

"Knock knock," he said, entering the front door.

Scorpius ran over but looked sad. "Papa?"

"I'm sorry, little man. He wants to come home, but he can't."

"Why can't he?" he sniffled, miserably.

Harry dropped down to the floor and opened his arms up. Scorpius's eyes were full of tears, and he all but jumped into his arms and cried into his chest.

"Papa...!"

"I'm so sorry, Scorpius. I want you to know that you are so brave right now. It's okay to be scared and sad that your Papa isn't here. Just remember what your Papa said, alright?" Harry whispered.

"Papa will always love me," he chanted.

"And he will, no matter how far apart you are," he said and patted his back. "How was your day with your aunt?"

Scorpius wiped his face and glanced over to Aunt Andy. "We saw a picture of a Hing-Hunggarreion Horntail in Aunt Andy's book! And a Sv-wedish shortsnort... and a Naorwerrgan Ridge-back! They're real! Just like Papa's stories about the Golden Boy! Papa says he saw them... did you see them, too?"

"Yeah... I've seen a few dragons," he said, but didn't go into details. He did wonder about the mention of the Golden Boy, though. "Did Aunt Andy tell you about Teddy, yet?"

Scorpius frowned. "A bear?"

Harry laughed. "No... that's Ted's name. He is going to be here soon. Come over to the couch. Hello, Aunt Andy."

"It's good you're here. Let me get started on dinner," she said, patting Harry on the arm as Harry sat the boy down on the couch.

"Alright, Scorpius, Aunt Andy has a grandson that she adopted. His name is Teddy, and he will be here soon. He's your age."

Scorpius's eyes widened. "My age? Will he be in my room?"

"No... he has his own room across from the bathroom. I didn't want to show it, because it is his room, like your room will be your room. We had his Aunt Molly babysit him while you got comfortable here. Teddy gets very... excitable, but I'm sure he'd love to play with you."

"Play? Like on the jungle gym outside?" he asked, very happy with that notion.

Harry smiled. "Yep, and there are toys in Teddy's room that he'd love to share with you."

Scorpius stood up. "I have toys, too! They're in Papa's bag!"

"I'll get them out tomorrow, okay," he said, glad he brought the bag home. It was withholding evidence, but no one asked.

"Papa said I'm not allowed in his bag. Everything is small."

Harry nodded. Not only did the bag have an Extension Charm, but Malfoy had shrunk everything, too. Impressive for someone without a wand for four years. Suddenly, the floo chimed, and Molly and Teddy came through.

"Molly... thanks for watching Teddy!" he said, hugging her, but Teddy demanded his hug first.

"Dad!"

Harry still smiled every time he said it. Teddy had taken to calling him that over the last year. Godfather was too hard. He had called him 'Arry' for the longest time, over Aunt Andy's objection. But last year, Ted asked if he could call him dad... like the other kids call their dads dad. Ted knew his real mum and dad were gone, but he wanted a dad, and Harry was happy to oblige him.

"Hey, squirt!" he said, lifting Teddy up to hug and kiss him.

"Dad! I made Rose rollover!"

Harry's eyes widened, and he looked at Molly, who laughed. "She's fine. He was gentle." Rose was only six months old.

"She giggled and... and..." Teddy broke off. "Who is that!" he pointed at Scorpius.

"Ted! It's rude to point," Harry scolded.

"I agree," Molly said.

Harry looked over at Scorpius, who didn't seem so confident down. He looked shy and looked away. He obviously hadn't played with too many kids.

"Dad!" Ted squirmed. "Put me down!"

Harry did. "Ted. This is your cousin. He's going to be staying with us for a while."

Teddy ran over to Scorpius, who backed into the couch. "Hi! I'm Teddy Lupin!" Ted declared proudly and presented his hand like Aunt Andy taught him.

Scorpius straightened up, bowed and took his hand, formerly. "Nice to meet you, Teddy Lupin. My name is Scorpius."

"Scorpius?" Teddy repeated, confused. Harry was about to chastise him for making fun of people's names when he said, "What's your last name?"

"Umm... it's just Scorpius or... Scorp," he muttered, looking down.

Teddy frowned at him. "You don't look like a scorpion!"

"Teddy!" Harry said.

"Well, you don't look like a teddy bear," Scorp retorted, and Harry had to refrain from laughing. Molly actually did.

Teddy giggled happily, too. "Grandma says I have my father's looks, and he was a werewolf!"

"Wow! A werewolf! A real one? Cool!"

"Yep, but I never met him... Gran and Dad tell me stories, though."

Scorpius looked confused and looked at Harry, who was obviously in the room. Teddy saw his look.

"No... I mean my real father. My real parents passed away. When I was a baby. My dad is my godfather... but I like calling his dad!"

"I like you calling me dad, too, squirt!" Harry said, ruffling his hair.

"Oh... I'm... sorry... about your mum and Papa, though," Scorp said.

"Thanks. I wish I knew then... but I have Harry, who's my dad, and Grandma. But who's your mum and dad?"

Harry was about to interject when Scorpius said, "It's just me and Papa."

"What about your mum?" Ted asked.

"Teddy... don't pry," Harry said.

"Sorry... hey! Want to see a trick?"

"Yeah?" Scorp said.

Teddy pushed his nose, and suddenly, his hair was blond like Scorpius's.

Scorpius's eyes widened. "Wow! Magic! No... wait... you're a meta-morph-magus!" he pronunciated. It was a mouthful.

Teddy looked surprised and asked, "How'd you know that?"

Molly and Harry were surprised, too. Ted had played that trick with several children when Harry took him to his friend's house, or they came to play with him. It never failed to confuse them.

"My Papa told me about them... I mean, people like you! That is so cool. I wanted to be one, but Papa told me that it's something you're born with. Then I decided I wanted to be an Animagus! I want to be a doggy or a kitty!"

Harry laughed. "I'm sure you do."

"Hey, what to come play in my room? I want to show you Romulus! He's my stuffed wolf!" Teddy said and started down the hall.

"Okay!" Scorpius said, and after looking at the two adults for permission, he ran after Teddy. Harry put up a Muffiato, and Aunt Andy came out to stare at him.

"Harry... the child doesn't know his last name?"

Harry grimaced. "Nor his father's first name. Draco was paranoid about Scorpius being punished for being his son. If they were separated, he wouldn't know who his Papa was, so no one else would know either."

Molly gasped. "How horrible... and he seems like a nice, polite child."

"Do we tell him?" Aunt Andy asked.

"Not yet. We don't know if Draco will come back. I won't leave Scorpius in limbo forever, but... we'll see what happens if Draco is convicted. I'll do my darndest to help him, but he's got a lot of charges against him. I don't know what will happen. But if Draco is released, we'll be here to help him... and Scorpius."

"Of course," Aunt Andy nodded as did Molly.

"I did stop at MCAPs. They revoked Draco's parental rights, so I applied for full custody. They mentioned that you had a child under your care, so I thought it'd be easier."

"It's fine... Harry, we already decided that you'd stay here to help anyway. If they push, you'll already have a stable home with two adults."

Molly said, "And me. I will always help, please tell them that. But I need to get back before Arthur starts letting Rose play with his muggle toys."

"Okay... thanks, again, Molly," Harry said, and she flooed out.

Hearing the boys' laughter, Harry told Aunt Andy that he'd finish up dinner. She wasn't as young as he was to handle dinner and two young children all day. She went to sit down for a bit. Harry was putting dinner into the oven when Teddy and Scorpius ran into the kitchen.

"Dad! Scorp's never been on a broom! Can we go outside?"

"You can go outside, but you can't fly right now. I have to be with you when you use your broom, remember?" Harry said, giving him a look.

"Yes, Dad. Want to go outside, Scorp?"

The child nodded, still unsure about their interactions. He looked at Harry for permission. Harry supposed that Draco kept a very close eye on him out of necessity.

"Have fun outside. We have a fence and ward lines to protect you out there. Dinner will be ready in an hour, okay?"

"Okay," Scorpius said and ran out with Teddy. Harry cleaned up, set the table and checked on the boys occasionally. Aunt Andy was napping in her recliner.

Harry went out on the porch and watched the young boys play on the swing set. Scorpius looked happy, though he kept his guard up. He only tried things after Teddy showed him how. Harry felt for the child who had been so deprived his whole life, but at the same time, had obviously been given his father's undivided attention. Malfoy's love for his son was undeniable, and he had taken great care in teaching his son everything he could about life and magic.

Scorpius was more educated than most ten-year-olds, he'd say. But that didn't mean he had a childhood, either.

Moreover, Harry lived in a tent for almost a year and felt the isolation and lack of security. They were without a true home for nearly Scorpus's whole life. He wondered if he should get a mind healer for the boy and decided that, minimally, he needed to see a healer tomorrow.

Today's 온라인카지노게임 recommendation:

Young by tee_gee

Angst... so much angst. Harry and Draco's relationship time-jumps back and forth between eight year and the present, where they keep punishing each other because they aren't together. It really draws in the pain and hate sex, especially when Harry meets a cinnamon roll that was born very conveniently after Harry and Draco left school. Incomplete.