To say that Ginny Potter was surprised would be an understatement but for the lack of a better word she decided to go for it. Her eyes repeatedly flitted across the parchment held in her hands a broken seal shining in the candlelight as she re-read the letter a fifth time to make sure she hadn't misconstrued the words written.
She didn't know what to make of the invitation, a pit of worry settled in her stomach as she contemplated the reasons for Astoria Malfoy to write to her and invite her to her home. She had of course heard on repeat Lily's run in with Astoria Malfoy during Christmas. She had run in to George's shop that night happily jabbering on about the new friend she had made, Teddy following her in listening patiently to every word she said. They had had all been frantically looking for the young girl before she callously walked in with no care in the world.
Before she could get her hands on her daughter the duo had disappeared outside, her family crowded around her forming a protective barrier between mother and daughter in an effort to calm her down. After a few minutes a fuming James had stomped in, his clothes frozen to his body icicles forming in his hair shivering uncontrollably. That had done it. Lily had gotten a scolding of a lifetime but even then the smug smile had not left Lily's face all day.
She was proud for how Lily had stuck up for herself with her brother but her habit of wandering off was going to get her in an early grave. Lily had apologised of course, talked about her friend from Diagon Alley non-stop and had remained stuck to Teddy's side for the rest of the holidays, not willing to let her older brother go.
She had been surprised to learn that Lily had bumped into one Mrs. Malfoy who as both Lily and Teddy informed her had stayed with her daughter until someone came looking for her. But after that incident she had made sure that one or more adults were always present with the kids no matter if it was at the Burrow or another outing in Diagon Alley.
She hadn't ever met the other woman of course, had only seen one picture of hers in the Daily Prophet once when the news of the Malfoy's generous donation to a muggle hospital had broken out. If she went by her daughters descriptions though the woman was exceedingly beautiful and very caring.
She really had avoided thinking much of the Malfoy's since the first year of her daughter's birth, choosing to go by the muggle saying and to cross that bridge when they came to it. She had been too happy to not have any contact with them and to ignore the problem until it just wasn't possible to. Harry she knew was spending some of his free time researching the Agreement and looking for a way out for their daughter.
He had refused to listen to anyone even Hermione knowing full well that his best friend would have looked into all possible scenarios before giving up but Harry just couldn't accept this without having done some research himself and she loved him all the more for it.
Sighing she decided that maybe it was time for the two mothers to meet; she had to know the woman who would be a mother to her daughter in the future. Sending a quick reply she proceeded to prepare dinner, Harry would be home soon and Lily would tumble back in dirty from playing quidditch at her grandmothers any moment now as well.
The next day Ginny stood near the fireplace, wearing a burgundy pleated long skirt and dark blazer preparing to floo to the Malfoy residence. She had no matches to report on or articles to write today and she had sent Lily over to Ron and Hermione's to play with their son Hugo, Harry as was his routine on any weekday was at his office.
Harry and she had discussed the new development late into the night, only falling asleep early in the morning never having come to any conclusions on their various theories regarding the sudden invitation. She fought back a yawn as she fisted some floo powder and stepped into their fireplace.
A wash of green flames engulfed her, spinning her through a network of fireplaces before she landed her eyes focusing on the elegant room a mixture of brown, white and beige, the drawing room she realised as she stepped through the ornate fireplace a master piece itself of stone and marble with intricate floral patterns carved into it.
"Mrs. Potter," a sweet voice greeted her from her right, her eyes darting away from the ornately designed room to the warm smiling face of Astoria Malfoy. The brunette stood just a bit taller to her own petite form, her hands joined elegantly at her front and her pristine dark robes standing stark against her pale skin.
The woman stepped forward hesitating slightly before engulfing Ginny in a soft hug surprising the red head, shaking herself out of her stupor Ginny awkwardly patted the other woman's back before stepping quickly away. Even with her daughters description of her and Teddy's own inputs Ginny didn't know what to make of the woman before her. She seemed to genuinely be happy to see her if a bit cautious, of course she couldn't blame the woman she herself didn't know what to make of the situation they had found themselves in.
"Why don't we step outside into the garden, the elves have set up tea and biscuits for us," Astoria offered directing Ginny to a set of glass double doors an intricate floral pattern etched in them, dispersing the soft winter rays of the sun in calm waves.
Smiling at her Ginny followed the brunette out into the magically warmed garden. While the outskirts were still covered in snow from the New Year the garden at the Malfoy home seemed to be bursting with life, green and warm a rather unexpected sight.
Sitting down at the white iron table laid with Tea and various biscuits and sweets the two women looked at each other, an awkward smile gracing their lips. Clearing her throat Astoria served, Ginny looking about the garden noticing the flowers in full bloom in the middle of winter, her eyes focusing on a beautiful pond in the middle of the garden its edges adorned with white rocks the pond itself shone curiously blue bedecked in White Water Lilies.
"I set that up soon after Narcissa informed us of the agreement," Astoria told Ginny her gaze following hers to the middle of the garden.
Furrowing her brows Ginny looked at Astoria curiously, in reply the brunette shrugged her slight shoulders, "The need just took over me. I don't know why, I just did what felt right."
"If I may Mrs. Malfoy," Ginny ventured after a long silence following Astoria's confession, "why did you invite me over so suddenly?"
"Astoria please," Astoria requested, "I believe it has been a long time coming, after all our families are one day going to be bound by marriage."
"I understand that but it has been eight years and to tell you the truth I had hoped to prolong this for as long as I could," Ginny replied.
"I do have to apologise for that," Astoria said looking at Ginny, setting her tea down she turned fully to look at the red head, "I had meant to come and visit or invite you earlier possibly with Lily but I..."
"I understand," Ginny said softly placing a comforting hand on Astoria's fidgeting ones, Ginny's brown eyes softened seeing the anxiety she felt reflected in the elegant woman before her, "I don't think I will ever be able to accept the destiny dealt my daughter."
Astoria smiled sorrowfully at the other woman knowing well her words to not be a slight at her family but the sorrow of a mother who would not see her daughter write her own destiny.
"That being the foremost reason Mrs. Potter..."
"Ginny, please."
"Ginny, there was another reason and as I am sure you are aware, I recently had an accidental run in with Lily," Ginny nodded in acknowledgement. "Since then a desire to get to know her and her family has made me restless these past few days."
"I would like to thank you for that, for staying with Lily while we searched for her."
"Your daughter stayed with me rather than the other way around I'm afraid," Astoria smiled softly remembering the little red head lending her a hand her parcels clutched in her small arms. At Ginny's confused frown she continued, "Your daughter is a sweet and caring young lady. She must have seen me when a bout of dizziness took over me and I stumbled, while I grappled for support I dropped the parcels I was holding, your daughter rushed over and without my noticing picked up some of the parcels from the middle of the street and rushed over to help me."
"She told me she had helped you carry a few parcels but..."
"Lily is as humble as she is sweet a good trait to have certainly and something I reckon she may have inherited from her parents," Astoria said to the astonished woman opposite her.
A proud smile graced Ginny Potter's face, "So Astoria," she continued feeling more at ease around the woman now, "why don't you tell me something more about yourself?"
The two women talked through tea only moving into the house when it was time for lunch. Astoria Malfoy had prepared a feast in honour of her guest and Ginny's eyes widened looking at all the food laid out in front of them on the table.
"I just didn't know what you would like so I asked the elves to cook some of everything," Astoria smiled embarrassedly.
"You're worse than my mother I can tell you that," Ginny's comment earned her a startled laugh from the aristocratic woman. The formal dining room, though not as big as she was sure Malfoy Manors was, was a huge ornately furnished room, a long mahogany table its centre piece adorned beautifully with silver candelabras and a chandelier high above them in the middle; the light from outside reflecting off the crystals in a kaleidoscope of colours.
After a comfortable silence as the women settled down Astoria cleared her throat anxiously, "Ginny there was another reason why I asked you to come over today."
Ginny looked up quizzically at the other woman her fork poised in mid air, waiting for Astoria to continue. Clearing her throat once again to dislodge the lump that had settled itself there, Astoria set down her knife and fork folding her hands in her lap, "I have a favour to ask of you."
Debating how to continue she stuttered through, "You see when I met Lily I realised there was a lot I had missed when it came to her but also that there will be a lot more in the future that I will be unable to be a part of."
Ginny listened carefully though thoroughly confused, her meal abandoned and growing cold as she looked at her lunch companion's anxious face noticing her nervous twitch was back.
"I sent away the boys today because I know Draco would never admit this or accept it but he's going to need someone..." A tear slipped down her cheek the thought of the future still scary and depressing even though she had long ago accepted her fate. It wasn't herself she was worried about but her husband who said little but felt more than he let on. She knew he would be lonely and unwilling to accept any help when the time finally came.
"I don't understand," Ginny replied now worried as she saw the demure woman lose her composure so.
"Just like our children my fate had been decided generations before I was born," Ginny nodded listening attentively, "a curse was placed on my family a century ago and it has continued to plague us - every daughter born to a Greengrass shall find herself dying an untimely death."
Astoria recited from memory her tone emotionless; having repeated the words to herself like a mantra since the day she had learned of the destiny that awaited her.
Ginny gasped, her horror reflected clearly on her pale features a hand covering her mouth as she looked at the woman a year younger to her with wide unblinking eyes. "It's alright," Astoria patted Ginny's hand that lay on the table between them and smiling at her comfortingly, "I have come to accept my fate for what it is."
"You're comforting me," Ginny exclaimed quietly, looking at the woman in front of her with new eyes. Astoria only shrugged her smile now wider, "I have had to do that more than you would believe throughout the years, now it's more like second nature."
Everything was quiet for a few moments, Ginny trying to digest this new piece of information she couldn't help but feel some pity towards the other woman; to be strong for others when it is her who should have been wailing at the unfairness of it all.
"How...how long-"
"How long do I have?" Ginny nodded softly.
"I don't know," Astoria replied, sighing as she picked up her fork to take a bite of her now cold meal, "But I fear the time isn't too far away. I have been growing weaker and weaker by the day."
"What can I do Astoria?"
"Nothing about my condition I'm afraid. But there is something that you could help me with if you accept of course."
At Ginny's encouraging nod she continued, "If I am gone by my son's 17th birthday which seems likely at this point, I would like you and Mr. Potter to be there beside my husband when he tells our son."
The simple request surprised Ginny having expected something a bit more but as she contemplated it she realised it shouldn't have. If she had been in Astoria's place she would have wanted nothing more than her husband to have some support in such a time and probably would have made a similar request herself.
"I would like to be here for you as well if it's alright with you," Ginny replied a soft smile on her face.
"I would like that very much," Astoria replied, tears glistening in her ice-blue eyes.
The click clack of the morning rush washed over him, the swish of robes and tap tap of heeled boots passing by him as he made his way through the dark halls. The gleaming dark wood of the floor reflecting green every time a witch or wizard flooed in through the many fireplaces lining the long hallway, the soft rush of water up above rang through his thoughts as the fountain of the phoenix came alive.
His brown Auror robes crisp and pristine flowing around his calves in soft waves, Harry made his way quickly calling out greetings to the various employees of the Ministry of Magic. A moving portrait of Kingsley Shaklebolt, the Minister of Magic standing proudly his back straight and mouth pulled up in a wide smile beaming down at the rush of bodies hung right up ahead just above the golden lifts. Just before he stepped in, Harry heard his name called from behind, a booming voice echoing in the hall cutting easily through the noise; Harry turned spotting a head of dark blonde hair and a wide hand waving primly at him peeking out from the mass of heads flowing like the sea around him.
Harry hung back, waiting for the other man to catch up to him, "Alright John?" He asked politely.
"Never better Harry," smiled John, his baby blues shining as always. A charming smile lit up the man's scarred features when Romilda Baggerton passed by, her purple robes swishing behind her, eyes darting between the two men and finally settling on the dark blonde beside him.
John Brown was a man three years his junior but through sheer hard work and ingenuity had fought his way to the top of Department of Magical Law as second in command. Along with Hermione Granger-Weasley he had set the changes in motion that had revolutionised their world.
The two of them together had pushed for law reforms and equal status for all – beings and creatures alike; he had fought hard and earned an immense amount of respect second only to Harry and his two school friends. It didn't hurt that he had fought in the final battle and had the scars to show for it. Like Colin Creevey he too had hung back, choosing to fight instead of exiting like the other young students.
They were still conversing when they came upon their floor, the dark light of the halls of the department unflattering to the otherwise handsome John making the scars on the left side of his face stand out ominously. He had received the gift courtesy of a Death Eater, the scar made of dark magic had left half his face disfigured. The skin puckered at his cheek and neck as if burnt stopping right before his eyes, half of a dark blond eyebrow and the hair above his ears still missing.
"Say Harry, I have been meaning to ask about the break in last night at your place."
Harry sighed quietly, his eyebrows furrowed in worry. "I do need help with some of the paperwork to increase the wards around the house," Harry said. "Why don't you step into the office and we'll talk," he gestured asking the dark blonde to follow him to his office.
"So, what happened?" John asked as soon as he had settled in the straight backed chair, a large wooden desk between him and Harry. The spacious office he saw was decorated minimally, a cork board behind the desk with articles, schedules, wanted posters, a bookshelf on the right and picture frames on the desk itself.
Silver instruments, some strange some familiar, like a small sneakoscope lined a table opposite the door through which they had entered earlier.
"Straight to the point huh," quipped Harry.
"You know me," John shrugged.
"Last night," Harry rubbed a tired hand through his hair the events of the night before still fresh in his mind – the fear and the anger from last night hitting him harshly in the chest, "we heard our elf shouting, he activated the house alarms and when we rushed into Lily's room where we could hear a commotion we saw a man jumping out the window."
"Did you see his face?"
"No, it was too dark and by the time I caught up to him outside he had made his way outside the wards of the house and disapparated."
"Oh my Harry, is Lily ok?" John asked. Harry nodded suppressing a shudder as his memories threatened to overtake him. He looked at the man in front of him, his blank face and shining blue eyes unnerving him like always. He had never been too fond of the man choosing to keep a strictly professional relationship with him. Something about John Brown had unsettled him from the day he had first met him, everyone especially Hermione told him he was being paranoid and unreasonable. Nonetheless he had kept his distance only conversing and sharing with him what he needed to.
"Yeah, she's fine. Honestly I don't even know how he bypassed all our wards," Harry said observing the man in front of him keenly. One minute Ginny and he had been talking, discussing her visit with Astoria Malfoy earlier in the day, the next Kreacher was shouting and the house alarms were blaring.
"He hit Kreacher with something, the poor old elf held on until Lily was safe before collapsing," Harry told John.
"Oh my!" John exclaimed his eyes widening in disbelief. Harry eyebrows furrowed in concentration, watching the man carefully, "Is he alright?"
"He's in St. Mungo's. They reckon given his age he has a couple days, maybe weeks," Harry shook his head sadly never removing his eyes from the dark blond.
"I'm sorry to hear that Harry. Was he close to the family?" John asked.
"Yeah," Harry nodded solemnly. A soft smile took over his face as he continued, "especially to Lily."
"Really?" John asked interestedly.
"Yeah," Harry replied his eyes focused eerily at John. "Say, John how did you hear about this? I remember warning my aurors to not leak this until my say so."
"Oh I may have heard through the grapevine," John flicked the question off with a nervous gesture of his hand, a charming smile on his face, "you know how it is right? It's worse than Hogwarts here."
"Yeah," Harry nodded still focused on John his eyes looking into his unblinking.
"So have you heard - Hermione's making a move to be inducted into the Wizengamot?" John asked suddenly.
"Yeah I heard, she wouldn't stop talking about it at the family dinner, her and Ron both actually," Harry replied.
"Yeah I bet they are proud and they should be. The Minister himself asked her to put in an application for review and he was quite confident that she would get in without any problems," John beamed at Harry.
"Right you are John," Harry said just as quietly as before. "You should know that your support means a lot to her. She kept saying that without your help and devotion to her work she didn't think all the progress that we have made would have been possible."
"Ah she's only being modest," John said, his chest inflating in pride at the compliment even as he batted it away."Truth is all the changes and the reforms are all her doing, hers and your and Ron's. The three of you really turned this place around even before I came in."
"Now who's being modest," Harry directed at John. "How about I send over the paperwork once I'm done with it then John?"
"Yeah sounds good," John replied, getting up from his seat. "See you Harry," John called out waving just as primly as before and stepping out of the Head Aurors office.
The empty halls of the bright home once so full of laughter and joy seemed to close in around him, the noises echoing around him laughing in the face of his loneliness. Rushing in to the living room he poured himself a drink and sank down in an armchair near the white marble fireplace the burn of the amber liquid calmed his nerves.
Ghosts surrounded him in this mausoleum, the voices whispered in his ears, taunting him. But he laughed at them, in the end he had been the one to survive. Always hidden in the shadows, pushed away in favour of others and it was he who was the one left standing - the weak ones eradicated by time.
He took a deep breath laying a weary head against the back of his armchair, a hand twitching at his side as he tried to relax. But even his dreams were no friends of his, full of smiling faces, running feet and mocking tones.
He shouldn't have gone there. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, looking back he realised it had been a foolish move. But he had been desperate. It had been years since he had gotten a glimpse of her, choosing to stay away lest he lose control. He still lost control. Just her silhouette in the window had driven him mad, had compelled him to sneak in. And now her father was suspicious. He will come around, he knew. Once Harry Potter saw his love for his daughter he would come around but until then he had to be careful.
His eyes fell on the bright eyes staring at him from the lone picture frame mounted on the mantle. Those beautiful honey eyes never judged him, they never taunted him only smiled a sweet smile a secret hidden behind them, meant only for him.
They spoke to him of their future. The thought of those eyes and the secrets hidden in them that only he knew brought a smile to his face, his fingers gliding down the soft features of the occupant of the frame as he pulled it down to lie on his chest.
Finally he fell asleep exhausted; dreaming now of the bright future that lay before him. Red hair and brown eyes flitting in and out calling to him.
Next chapter - Lily and Scorpius!