I took a deep breath and walked up the neat little path to the door. I took another deep breath and knocked. There was a moment of silence. I crossed and uncrossed my fingers behind my back, praying she would open the door. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she did. "Astoria!" Ginny Potter exclaimed, staring at me bewildered. "Hi, I hope I'm not bothering you," I said weakly. Ginny's brow furrowed and she opened the door a little wider. I took a tiny step forward to go in, but she blocked the door and I couldn't. "Um, I need your help," I said, not looking at her. Her brow furrowed even more. She ran a hand through her thick red hair. "Will you please help me?" I asked, looking up into her brown eyes. She bit her lip but opened the door. "Of course," she said and I could detect a bit of reluctance in her voice. Our sons may be best friends, but that certainly didn't mean that we were. She closed the door behind me and directed me to the sitting room. "Would you like some tea?" she asked, still staring at me suspiciously. "Yes, please, thank you," I said, sitting down on her couch by the fire. As Ginny left the room, I breathed a sigh of relief. She was going to help me. While I waited, I looked around the room. It was adorable and cozy, full of color and character. Pictures of her family and friends littered the room and a bright Gryffindor banner above the mantle brought a bitter taste to my mouth. I wished my house could be so nice. It was dank and dark. No matter how much I tried, bringing in warmer shades of green, hanging pictures, or placing flowers about, nothing would give it life. Merlin, I had begged Draco to sell it but he wouldn't. It hadn't left the Malfoy blood line in at least a hundred years and he wanted it for Scorpius. Anyways, he creepy old father still lived there, mostly content to lurk around the topmost floor, but he was still there. Ginny's voice echoed to me from the kitchen. "Cream and sugar?" she called. "Cream, please," I replied. She bustled back in, carrying two mugs. Handing one to me, she said, "Don't know what people see in cream. I only ever have sugar." Her awkward stab at conversation was meant to be warm, but I felt a lump grow in my throat. Draco had his tea with just sugar. "So," Ginny said, relaxing back in her armchair, "What can I help you with?" I took a sip of tea to steady myself, it was good tea, and spoke. "It's about Draco," I began, "I don't really know what to do about our marriage anymore and I hoped, because yours and Harry's, is so strong that you could possibly help me." Ginny blinked in surprise. "Oh," she said and her cheeks reddened a little, "Is it really that obvious about me and Harry?" I nodded. She seemed to think for a second. "What's wrong?" she asked and sipped her tea, staring into the roaring flames. I didn't know what to say. So I started with the beginning. I talked about how he'd stopped paying attention to me, how he just seemed bored with our relationship, and how he didn't talk to me much. I touched on how he moped about the house all day, staring out of windows or sitting listlessly in the corner. I even mentioned how I'd tried to shock him into attention by announcing I'd get a job or buying some new lingerie, but he didn't even react to that. Finally, I told her about the fight. Or well, it was more just me screaming at him. "…and so I just left," I sniffed, wiping my eyes. Ginny handed me another tissue. I blew my nose, tears racing down my pale cheeks. I looked over at her. Her suspicious attitude was gone and she looked genuinely concerned. "Astoria, calm down," she said gently, "Calm down." I took a few deep breathes. "Thank you," I squeaked. Ginny smiled a little. "It's alright, I'm sure you and Draco will be fine," she said. I stared at her. "Don't just say that to make me feel better," I said bitterly. I went to apologize for my tone, but Ginny's warm gaze stopped me. "I'm not," she said, "If I know anything about both Draco, it is that he'll want you to come back. He'll definitely be sorry. And anyways," she lowered her voice, "Men don't like to be alone and they don't like it when we aren't happy." I furrowed my brow. "I know that, but I don't want to go back and just get ignored all over again!" Ginny sighed. "Give him time," she said softly, "Give yourself time. When you are ready to go back, go back. If he comes to you, decide what to do then. But don't push yourself. Don't hurt yourself and-," she leveled me with a stare, "-don't let him push you." I nodded and thanked Ginny. I stood up, putting down my mug. "I'd better be going," I said, wiping my eyes, "I don't want to trouble you anymore." Ginny smiled and we went to the door. Just before I left, I noticed something on the wall. "What a beautiful clock!" I exclaimed and rushed over to look at it. "Thank you," Ginny replied, "Harry gave it to me. I have no idea where he got it." I gazed at the glassy face amazed. Instead of there being the regular two hands, there were six. Each hand had a different name on it: Harry, Ginny, James, Albus, Lily, and Teddy. My lip curled a little at the sight of the werewolves' spawn, but I hid it well. Around the edge of the face, instead of numbers, were words: Home, Work, School, Prison, Traveling, Lost, and Mortal Peril. The different hands pointed to the different things: Harry's on work, Ginny's on home, the three children's all on school, and the werewolves' spawn was on traveling. I felt a burning in the back of my throat. Was it jealousy? Why would I be jealous? I suddenly realized I was standing there and jumped. "Sorry, I'll be going," I said hurriedly and rushed out. "Wait," Ginny called after me. I spun around. "If you ever need help again," she said quietly and closed the door. My smile dropped and with my telltale crack, I disapperated, hot tears of jealousy burning my cheek.