Chapter One:

Astoria looked around the two bedroom Muggle flat that Lucius and Narcissa had bought for her. The least they could do after their son had forced her out of the house. She decided that it would be better to live in Muggle London, that way she would be less likely to run into Draco.

The divorce was slow coming, as most wizard divorces were. She had read in some gossip magazine that Hermione Granger, formally Weasley, had been married to Ron Weasley the Muggle way, so she was already divorced and probably living in the manor. It had been a year and five months since Draco had told her that he was leaving her. It was almost Christmas now and Astoria was missing the way the manor was decorated and the way it smelt like baking cookies.

Narcissa had invited her to their Christmas party, mentioning that Hermione would not be attending. The Malfoys were no longer angry with what Draco had done, but Narcissa was still a little bitter. She had mention that she liked Hermione well enough, she just wished that things had happened differently.

A giggle from the smaller bedroom dragged Astoria out of her thoughts. She walked over to the door and opened it slightly. In the room sat her now six year old son, Scorpius. He was using the toy broom that Lucius had given him last week.

"Look mummy!" Scorpius cried, "I'm flying!"

Astoria brought her hand up to her mouth to cover her laughter, "Indeed you are."

She watched her son zoom around his room for a few more minutes before she heard a knock on the door.

"Scorpius, put your things away please," Astoria said before closing the door to his room.

The one downside to living in Muggle London was that her son had to hide who he was.

Astoria looked through the peephole, sighed and then opened the door.

"You're late," she greeted.

"I was busy," the person replied, making his way into the flat.

"I'm sure you were," Astoria muttered under her breath as she shut the door.

The person sighed, "I'm trying to be civil with you for the sake of our son, please don't make this any more difficult."

Astoria rolled her eyes before making her way into the kitchen, Draco following her. "Have you told him?" Draco asked, glancing down the hallway.

"No, but I think he understands anyway," Astoria replied, going into the fridge to pour herself some milk.

Draco nodded, "Yes, I suppose he does."

Astoria put the milk away and turned around so her back was to the counter, facing Draco. He looked at the countertop, his fingers drumming against it.

The papers had been signed, finalizing was what the problem was. Well, that and unbinding them from each other. The "binding" of two people on their wedding day was an accent tradition. It was a long process because it was never meant to be undone. It was part of the reason why people did away with the tradition. Astoria still didn't understand why her parents had forced her and Draco into it.

"What about custody?" Her mother had asked her one day.

"I have full custody, but Draco can see him whenever he pleases."

Astoria sighed, this time pulling herself out of her own thoughts. Draco glanced up at her before looking back down. Sometimes Astoria wondered if he regretted everything. If he regretted marrying her, or if he regretted his affair. Maybe he regretted both, maybe he regretted neither. Astoria couldn't, nor would she ever, know. Once she had thought that she knew him. Knew every ounce of him. Now, he was a stranger. He was the man she had once loved and if she was being honest with herself, the man she still loved.

He was the father of her only child, now matter what she would love him. He had hurt her, he had humiliated her, but still she loved him. And she hated herself for it.

Daphne had told her that Hermione was becoming impatient, that she suspected Draco was dragging his feet. Astoria scoffed, for such a bright woman, she could be incredibly stupid. Astoria wondered if Draco had even told Hermione about the binding. It was old, something nobody practiced. Astoria would be surprised if Hermione even knew about it. Which, with her obvious and uncharacteristic impatience, she did not.

Astoria longed to question him about it, if her suspicions were true. But she could not bring herself to do it.

"Mummy?" Scorpius' voice echoed through the flat, "Mummy where are you?"

"In the kitchen, sweetheart," Astoria replied. Scorpius had never been a clingy child, but now he stuck to her like glue. Afraid that she too would leave.

Scorpius made his way down the hall and into the kitchen. He immediately ran to her, his little arms wrapping around her leg. Draco watched, it had been two weeks since he'd seen his son, as he had been France for a business trip. He knew that whatever relationship he had had with his son before was slowly deteriorating, and that saddened him.

Astoria glanced at Draco before kneeling down to Scorpius' level, whisper in his ear. Scorpius looked at his mother before slowly letting go of her and making his way over to his father. He looked at Draco, unsure of what to do. He knew who he was of course, but he was confused by his presence as well. His mother rarely spoke of him, both sets of his grandparents told him that his father was a good man, he just made stupid decisions. That confused Scorpius most of all. How could a man be smart, but still make stupid decisions? And why did his mother seem to avoid talking about his father when asked about him? But most importantly, why did he have to leave his old house and come to this new one? And, would his father be joining him?

Draco met his son's gaze, smiling at him before he moved to pick Scorpius up. "Hey buddy," Draco said as he placed Scorpius on his lap. "How have you been?"

Scorpius shrugged, "Okay, I guess."

"Just okay? Why? What's wrong?" Draco asked, glancing at Astoria before looking back at his son.

"Mummy still makes me take naps even though I told her I was too old and that I'm not tired," Scorpius complained, causing Draco to laugh.

"Count yourself lucky, Scorpius. Some people don't get to take naps."

Scorpius' eyes widened, "Who doesn't get to?"

"Adults mostly,' Draco replied, watching Scorpius closely.

"I can't wait to be an adult," Scorpius said. "Then, I'll never have to take naps again."

Draco laughed again, "You say that now, but when you're my age you'll be wishing that you could take naps."

Scorpius firmly shook his head, "No, I won't. I don't like naps, I can't wait to be an adult."

"Oh, hush now, Scorpius," Astoria said, smiling. "You'll give your poor mother a heart attack."

Scorpius' eyes widened again, this time in worry, "Oh, no, mummy. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I don't want you to have a heart attack."

Astoria moved over to where Draco was sitting and placed her hand on Scorpius' back, "It's okay, Scorpius. I was just joking, I'm fine. I promise."

Scorpius nodded then started wriggling in his father's lap, "Daddy, can you put me down? I want to get my broom."

Draco placed Scorpius on the floor and watched as his son left the kitchen, "Broom?"

Astoria sighed, "Your father decided it was time he learned how to fly."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Of course he did."

Astoria knew that Lucius had wanted Scorpius to learn how to ride a broom, but she also knew that Lucius buying Scorpius a broom was his way of getting back at Draco. If they were still together, Astoria would have told Draco to not let his father get to him, but now she sided with Lucius. In fact, she found the whole thing comical.

Draco only stayed an hour after that, teaching Scorpius how to ride a broom properly and helping Astoria make dinner for the three of them. After which he left, promising Scorpius that he would be back on Saturday.

Astoria was picking up Scorpius' toys as he got into bed, "Mummy?"

"Yes, sweetie?" Astoria asked, putting the toys in their correct place.

"Does daddy still love me?"

Astoria turned around so fast she thought she'd be sick, "What?"

Scorpius shrunk into his bed, watching his mother carefully as she made her way over to him.

"Why would you ask something like that?" Astoria asked gently as she sat down on the edge of his bed.

The six year old bit his lip, shrugging his shoulders. Astoria sighed, "Of course he does, Scorpius."

"Does he still love you?" Scorpius asked.

Astoria licked her lips, her breathe caught in her throat, "I don't know."