Random Moments

Takes place the summer Scorpius is 14.

Warnings: None.

Rating: K

The door shut with a soft snap, immediately plunging Scorpius into darkness as he entered his family home. Suddenly, a single light flared to life.

“Scorpius Hyperion Potter-Malfoy, do you have any idea what time it is!?” Bellowed an angry Draco the moment his fourteen year old son walked through the door. “Your curfew was almost three hours ago!”

The dark-haired boy started at the suddenly shouting. He slowly turned around to face the light and his father. “Am I really that late?” He asked, his voice cracking as he looked at an imaginary watch on his wrist.

“That late? It’s nearly midnight! Where have you been!?” Draco continued to yell.

Before Scorpius could reply, a third voice quietly interjected, “Draco, love, if you wake the baby, I’ll kill you. I just got him down.”

Another light became visible as Harry walked fully into the room. “But your father’s right. Where have you been?”

Scorpius sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. “Nowhere. Just hanging out with a friend.” He replied softly.

“And let me guess, you just ‘lost track of time’.” Draco said, putting air quotes around the end of his sentence.

“I guess.” The boy answered as he shifted uncomfortably under his parents’ scrutiny.

A crinkling sound caught the attention of the two men. “What’s in the bag?” Draco asked as he rose from the couch and approached his son.

The fourteen year old clutched the paper sack to his chest. “Nothing.” He clipped.

Now standing directly in front of the boy, Draco stated, “You can either hand it over willing and get to keep it in the end, or I’ll take it from you and you’ll never see it again.”

Scorpius hesitated for a brief moment before handing the bag over.

Draco quickly unrolled the top of the bag and pulled out the contents, a single plastic bottle of generic antiseptic.

“What the hell is antiseptic?” He asked as he looked at the item with a fair amount of confusion.

Harry moved toward the pair of males on the other side of the room. “It’s a muggle thing for preventing infections.” He explained. Then, suddenly worried, he asked, “Are you hurt?” He moved his wand up and down his oldest child’s body, looking for wounds in the light.

“No. Of course, not.” Scorpius replied and pushed the wand away from his face.

“Wait a second, what was that?” Draco noticed something glinting in Scorpius’ dark hair when the light from Harry’s wand had passed over his head.

Scorpius took a fearful step backward. “N-nothing.” He stuttered.

“Bull shit.” Draco reached up and pushed Scorpius’ hair back from his ear. “What the hell is this!?”

“Draco, hush.” Harry admonished, but he copied his husband’s movements on the other side of their son’s head, catching sight of a second earring there. “What were you thinking?”

The dark-haired boy sighed. “I was thinking you wouldn’t let me. I figured when you finally noticed, it would be too late anyway and you’d let me keep them.” He whined.

“Like hell are you keeping those things in.” Draco seethed.

“Now wait just a second.” Harry stepped between the other two males. “Draco, we need to talk about this.”

Draco sneered at his husband. “What’s there to talk about? He went against us and now he deserves to be punished.”

“I agree punishment is in order, but… he didn’t completely go against us.” Harry calmly explained.

Eyeing the dark-haired man warily, he asked, “What, you knew about this?”

“I knew he wanted to have it done and I didn’t tell him strictly no. But I did tell him I’d think about it and talk to you.” He gave their son a pointed look. “Just yesterday.”

“Harry, why would you let him do something like to himself? Earrings are for girls.”

The dark-haired man gave an exasperated sigh. “They are not. I’ve seen plenty of guys with pierced ears. Fred and George each have an earring.”

Draco snorted and mumbled, “as if that helps your case any.”

Harry just stared at his husband for a long moment. “Scorpius, take this…” He took the antiseptic from Draco and handed it back to the boy. “…and go to bed. We’ll tell you your punishment tomorrow. Your father and I need to have a talk.”

Scorpius looked from one parent to the other before rushing up the stairs to his bedroom. Both men were silent until they heard the telltale click of their son’s door shutting.

“You can’t possibly be okay with this, Harry.” Draco finally stated.

Harry sighed. “I’m not okay with him doing it behind our backs, but feel the responsibility could be good for Scorpius.”

Draco looked surprised. “What responsibility?”

“Keeping them clean, turning them daily… don’t you remember anything from getting Lily and Emma’s ears pierced last year?” Harry asked, flabbergasted.

The blonde had the decency to look ashamed. “I guess not. That was more your thing with the girls than mine.”

“And obviously he plans on being responsible about it. He has the antiseptic.” Harry explained.

“We’re letting him keep them, aren’t we?” Draco asked, sighing in resignation.

“I think so. Unless they get infected, then we’ll tell him he’s not old enough and has to take them out.” The dark-haired man replied.

Draco dragged a hand through his hair. “And what about his punishment?”

“I think two weeks grounding is sufficient.”

“Fine.”