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Written for;

Love in Motion - DracoAstoria

Writing Club, Showtime - Act 1, Prompt 17 - Fragment

Roald Dahl - 462. Elderberry Whining - Draco Malfoy

100 Ways To Say 'I Love You' - 93. "I believe in you."

Are You Crazy Enough - 103. Astoria Greengrass

Beta'd by my Wonder Woman, Amber

Chase Away the Nightmares

Sitting in the nursery was a habit Draco hadn't been able to break since the day they fetched their son home from Saint Mungo's. In the middle of the night, plagued by the nightmares that still haunted him, he found a solace in the soft light that he'd never experienced before.

Scorpius lay in his bassinet, unaware and uncaring that his father sat vigil beside him for hours, simply counting the barely audible breaths of the newborn.

For Draco, it allowed him the soothing knowledge that his son was safe and also allowed Astoria her much need rest. He hadn't any idea why she chose to stay with him and his issues, but letting her get at least six or seven hours of sleep was the very least he could do for his wife.

Merlin knew she put up with a lot from him.

The war had left him haunted, but fragment by fragment, Astoria had built him back into the young man she'd professed to knowing he could be.

Only at night, when he lay down to sleep in the comfortable bed they shared, did his past come back to haunt him.

Or, that had been the only symptom until Scorpius had been born.

...

"He's so tiny," Draco had murmured, unable to take his eyes away from the babe in Astoria's arms. She held him out carefully for Draco to take him, but he shook his head emphatically.

"I don't… I can't… I don't know what to do," he'd admitted around the sudden lump in his throat.

"I believe in you," she'd murmured, waiting patiently for Draco to take their son. "You can do this, Draco. You're going to be a fantastic father."

…

He hadn't believed her at the time, but once again, his lovely wife had been correct. He'd found being a father the most rewarding experience in his admittedly rather short life. To have a little person be so reliant on him had brought out the protectiveness in him.

He couldn't imagine ever wanting his child to grow up in the world he himself had; just as he couldn't imagine ever trying to force his child to be or do anything against his will.

While Draco loved his own father, he was also perfectly aware that he wasn't his father. When he looked at Scorpius, all Draco felt was pride and love. He couldn't ever imagine being disappointed in his little boy - even, Merlin forbid, if he happened to be a Hufflepuff when the time came!

"Draco?"

The whisper was enough to startle Draco from his thoughts, and he looked up to see Astoria, hair messy and nightdress crumpled, crossing the room towards him.

She sat on his lap, her hand reaching out to stroke his cheek gently.

"Nightmare?"

"I'm okay," he told her, turning to kiss her palm as he realised that he'd been completely honest. He really was okay.

"You're so beautiful," he added, admiring the way the moonlight reflected off her pale skin.

She giggled quietly, her cheeks flushing the rose hue he'd always adored.

"Come back to bed," she requested, standing up and holding her hand out to him. He smiled. When she asked him so politely, it would be rude to refuse.

As he stood, he scooped her up in his arms, shushing her with a chuckle when she let out a tiny scream. As he left the nursery, she hit his back in reprimand, before settling comfortably against his chest.

Draco knew how lucky he was, but he swore to himself, and to Merlin, that he'd never forget that. He'd never take his family; his life, for granted.