Draco, who was determined to let the Malfoy bloodline die with him, because the Malfoy name was run through the muck and now means barely anything good anymore, and he doesn’t want to place that burden on an innocent child’s shoulders the way that burden was put on his when he was young.
Draco, who is petrified when Astoria confirms she is pregnant, both because it means that her blood curse will be accelerated due to the stress of the pregnancy, and because he is bringing a child into a world that isn’t entirely done healing.
Draco, who does everything he could to make things easier for Astoria, but he’s always so jumpy, and his nightmares increase until he can barely sleep, because the due date is arriving, and he is scared.
Draco, who looks into Scorpius’ face for the first time after he was born, and instantly feeling like his heart may burst with love.
Draco, who teases Astoria: “I thought he’d turn out to be a brunette, didn’t your Muggle science books say that brunettes have the dominant hair gene?”
Draco, who dives into fatherhood with exuberance. They have no house elves, he didn’t want any, so he learns domestic spells and tasks, even doing most tasks by hand. He always gets up at night to care for Scorpius when the babe cries, just to let Astoria sleep, and he doesn’t mind it, ever. How can he complain when he cuddles his infant son in his arms?
Draco, who was raised under the pureblood ideology, knowing how harmful it is, so he teaches Scorpius to be kind. To respect others for their character, not their blood status or wealth status. To empathize and sympathize and love.
Draco, who gets Scorpius a toy broomstick when Scorpius was three, only to regret it because Scorpius just zooms all over the place on that thing and he’s constantly running after that boy, and he can hear Astoria laughing.
Draco, who’s very affectionate with Scorpius, never denying his son anything. A kiss on the cheek, a big bear hug, a chance to play, he does it all, and he soaks up every moment, commits every second to his memories, in order to chase away the older, bad memories in his mind.
Draco, who sees Scorpius’ smile, and sees Astoria in him.
Draco, who has to eventually explain to Scorpius why some people treat the Malfoys so coldly. Who’s heart breaks when he has to explain to his only child – in age appropriate ways – all the horrible things their family did in order to survive a War, and how their name is tarnished and people will look down on Scorpius as a result.
“It’s going to be hard. Their words will get to you, I can’t deny that or tell you to grow thick skin. All I can do is warn you, reassure you that you’re a good person, better than I ever was at your age. And no matter what you do in life, no matter how hard it gets, I still love you and I’ll protect you to the best of my abilities. But there will be some things I just can’t protect you from, and I’m so sorry.”
Draco, who’s anxiety shoots through the roof when Scorpius is ten and gets his Hogwarts letter. He knows the bullying may start there, he knows people may ostracize Scorpius for his family’s name, not for who he is, and he spends that summer filling Scorpius with as much wisdom and love and warnings as he can provide.
Draco, who, after many many years of no contact, finally sees the Potters and the Granger-Weasleys for the first time at King’s Cross. The Golden Trio hold no hostility in their eyes, so he feels a little safe to give them a nod in greeting, and Hermione even offers a smile.
Draco, who openly cries when the Hogwarts Express finally takes his son to Hogwarts, because now the house feels a little more empty.
Draco Malfoy, a man who adores his child.
