Destiny
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Harry Potter, unfortunately.
A/N: Thank you to my ever faithful reviewers! Now, I know this can get a tad confusing—it's supposed to be, since Hermione is confused and it is in her point of view—and hopefully I can answer any questions in the later chapters, but if you have a question, feel free to ask and I will answer to the best of my ability! So, without further ado…Enjoy!
-Annie
P.S.—Yes, there will be Dramione action soon enough. Be patient with your dear writer.
Goodnight Stars
When the doorbell rang several minutes later, I was inside the kitchen completing the last touches of the salad.
"Do you want me to answer it?" Pam asked me, pausing her movements.
I regarded her for several seconds, but made up my mind as the doorbell rang again. Someone is impatient, I thought amusedly.
"No, I'll get it," I assured her and passed the bowl of green lettuce toward her. "You finish the rest of the salad."
I swallowed, my throat feeling suddenly dry. As I approached the front doors, I heard footsteps from upstairs, followed by Haden's excited cries.
"Uncle Harry and Auntie Ginny are here!" he exclaimed from somewhere upstairs. "Come on, Jazz! They're here!"
"I heard you the first time, Haystack," was Jasper's mumbled response.
The doors screeched open against the wood floors and a swift brush of summer air swatted me in the face, but the sensation was far from unpleasant.
"Well, there we go!" Ginny exclaimed, pecking me on the cheek as she busted into the house as if it were her second home. "I thought you were going to leave us standing out there all night!"
I grinned, rolling my eyes at the boisterous redhead. Little James cooed, giving me a wide and lopsided smile as he clung to his mother's form. I was nearly knocked sideways when a flourish of long red hair whipped over me as Lily danced her way past.
"Where are Jasper and Haden?" she wondered.
"They're upstairs," I replied, still amazed by how much she reminded me of Ginny, and she immediately started up the stairs.
"Lily, it's almost dinner!" Ginny reproved, calling up to her daughter, but she didn't listen. With a huff, Ginny turned to me, shaking her head in amusement. "I swear, that girl acts just like me when I was her age."
"I was just thinking the same thing," I teased, earning a swat from Ginny.
"I'm glad to see you're in a better humor," she identified, smirking.
Just then, a new presence entered the house, closing the doors behind him. He was a handsome man of average height, a few inches taller than I, with a strong jaw, startling green eyes framed by black rimmed glasses, and a mop of messy onyx black hair. He was dressed in jeans and a navy plaid shirt, its sleeves pushed up to his elbows. Although slightly altered by age, I instantly knew who this man was. Nothing could ever take his face out of my mind.
"Harry," I whispered happily, my smile broadening as I stared at the familiar face.
His trademark smile lit up his face and he rushed toward me, enveloping me in a strong and secure hug, picking me up off the ground with such force, the air flew out of my lungs with a powerful whoosh.
"Harry—can't—breathe!" I gasped, whacking his shoulder.
He gave a hearty laugh and set me down on the ground again. Once he looked into my eyes, however, the grin disappeared, replaced by frown of concern. I felt my heart droop. I was really growing tired of that expression.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I feel just fine," I answered truthfully. "Except for…well, you know, the gaping hole in my memory."
"I've given you the entire week off from work, so you don't have to worry about that. I hope you don't mind, but Gin's filled me in on everything," Harry said.
"I don't mind."
The boys and Lily took that moment to hurry down the stairs, laughing at something I hadn't heard. Running a hand through his messy mop of hair, Harry sighed and pulled me aside as the children rushed past.
"Wash your hands before dinner, now," I heard Pam instruct.
Turning back to Harry, I smiled half-heartedly, but he remained stoic and pensive.
"Hermione, you know I care about you," Harry told me sincerely, "and you know how much I worry—"
"Yes," I interrupted, placing a hand on his arm to stop him from a rant I knew was about to start, "but you have no reason to worry over me, Harry. I'm fine. I just—"
"Have no memory of anything that's happened in the last eleven years," he finished, crossing his arms. "Hermione, have you even thought about seeing a Healer? This isn't normal. Despite what you might think and how stubborn you are, this type of thing does not happen regularly. When a woman like you loses all recollection of who she's been for the past eleven years, a bloke has to worry. Don't stand here and act like everything is alright, Hermione, because it's most definitely not."
I'd involuntarily stiffened at his fierce tone, looking away. He was right, of course.
"Harry, calm down," I admonished and he blew out a puff of exasperated air. "I realize you are worried and I'm doing the best I can—"
"No, you bloody well aren't," Harry scoffed, but at my glare, his tone and eyes softened. "Hermione, you need to see a Healer."
"I don't need a doctor; Pamela is perfectly able to take care—" I argued listlessly, but Harry once again interrupted me.
"Pam is wonderful," he agreed, "but it would make everyone feel much better if you looked for a second opinion. Even Pam, bless her southern heart, doesn't know what is wrong with you. You need to see a professional."
My disdain for visiting the hospital apparently showed on my face because Harry gripped my shoulders with firm, loving hands and looked straight into my eyes.
"Promise me you will see a Healer, 'Mione," Harry pleaded.
"Oh, very well," I submitted, irritated.
He grinned cheekily and ruffled my hair good-naturedly.
"Thank you," he said and then his eyes flickered upward, past my shoulder. "Draco, good to see you."
"Evening," came the drawled reply.
I turned around, watching as the handsome blond sauntered gracefully down the stairs, a smirk that didn't reach his eyes toying with his lips. His steel gray eyes briefly met with mine and then returned to the guests. He approached Harry, shaking hands with him. I had to say, I was incredibly surprised by this exchange, although I knew I shouldn't be—if I was married to Draco Malfoy, why couldn't Harry be on handshaking terms with him? He was my husband, after all.
"Daddy! Daddy!" came a cry from the kitchen.
I stumbled as Haden darted past me, issuing a hurried, "Sorry, Mummy!" as he sped past, flinging himself into a startled Draco Malfoy's arms. Malfoy teetered only slightly, but quickly recovered from his shock, adjusting the chestnut haired boy in his arms.
"Hi, buddy," Malfoy laughed, sounding winded. His gray eyes, which had looked so pained and dark as he stared into mine seconds previous, now shined brightly as he regarded his son. "How was your day?"
"I had fun, Daddy!" the little boy chirped. "I went to Sam and Dillan's and I read about Goblins! They're weird, Daddy! They have pointy ears and wrinkly skin and they're always grumpy."
At this, Malfoy laughed, as did Harry and Ginny. I felt a smile creeping up the edges of my lips, but I was mostly just shocked. I'd never really seen Malfoy sincerely smile, but he was now smiling, and it was an incredible sight to behold. But what startled me the most was the expression in his eyes—love. I'd seen a flurry of expressions within those quicksilver eyes in the past—fury, mockery, agitation, pride—but this was a foreign emotion I had not rendered Malfoy capable of expressing.
I didn't know why this surprised me so much considering all the new expressions I'd seen in his eyes recently.
"Daddy, I have a present for you," Haden informed his father, digging in his pocket.
"A present for me?" Malfoy gasped animatedly, causing the boy to giggle as he pulled out the green seashell and presented it to his father. Malfoy beamed, laughing deeply as he took the green shell from the delighted boy. "You got this for me, buddy?"
"Yep! Do you like it?" Haden asked, jumping down from Malfoy's arms.
"It's the best gift I've ever gotten," Malfoy assured, patting the boy on the head. "Thank you."
I gaped, but I quickly recovered as Malfoy peered over at me.
"Did you get anything for your mother?" asked Malfoy, turning back to the boy, who immediately gasped and shook his head, his eyes wide as saucers.
"No!" he whispered dramatically. "I forgot!"
Malfoy only smiled at the boy, bending down and whispering in his ear, "It'll be our secret. How about you find something nice for Mummy, too?"
"Okay!" Haden said, accepting the challenge.
My eyes flickered between them and I felt a choking warmth encircle my heart. When Malfoy straightened again, his eyes met with mine briefly. I couldn't explain why, but in that instant I felt extremely moved by him. Something stirred within me, warming my veins. Was I feeling sorry for Mafoy?
I frowned, realizing then that I was being completely ridiculous about all of this. Despite our past and despite my negative feelings for the man, Malfoy was still a human being with feelings, and as odd as it sounded, I was the source of his heartache. I found myself wishing I could do something to help him, but I didn't know how. He expected a wife that loved and accepted him. But I was no longer her.
"Dinner is ready," announced Pam, coming into the foyer and interrupting my thoughts.
Our eyes strayed away from each other as Haden dragged Malfoy into the dining room. I followed behind Ginny and James, still sitting on her hip, waved to me happily. Before I entered the dining room, Harry pulled me aside again.
"'Mione, I know this is tough for you," Harry murmered in my ear, "but go easy on him. He loves you. Even I know that."
With a sigh, I parted from the man that was like a brother to me and entered the dining room. I sat down next to Harry, just as Malfoy sat down at the head of the table, looking uncomfortable.
"Daddy, why aren't you sitting by Mummy?" Haden suddenly asked, confused as his gray eyes drifted between me and Malfoy.
I'd forgotten we were a family and probably had seating arrangements. It was only normal for a man to sit by his wife, yet Malfoy and I suddenly weren't and it concerned the young boy.
"Are you fighting?" Haden wondered, pouting.
My heart clenched.
"No, you idiot. It's because Mum doesn't remember him," snapped Jasper from his brother's side, glaring heatedly at his plate of chicken.
"That's enough, young man," Pam chastised, smacking her palm down on the wooden table. "You've been in a sour mood all day and I'll have no more of it."
Jasper's chin quaked and he set it stubbornly, refusing to apologize. My heart called out for him, hating his pain. It was so abnormal, this feeling I had when I looked upon Haden and Jasper. It was as if all logic flew out the window and all there remained was the depth of love I had for these boys, as if they were my own.
It was the first time I'd been able to look at them and not be terrified of failing them, of their dependence on me, or of my lack of maternal experience. Or the fact that I was not ready to have children in the slightest and hadn't planned on doing so for years to come.
But as Jasper glared at his plate and Haden pouted, the love I had for them and the connection we seemed to share with one another began to take more prominence than my fear. I found that I wanted to help them, teach them, be there for them.
Surprisingly, I found my small voice speaking.
"It's okay, Draco. You can sit by me," I said, trying my best to keep my voice from trembling.
There was a stunned silence as Draco stared at me with wide, rain colored eyes. Then, silently, he rose from his seat and walked over to the empty seat on my right. I thought I saw his hands trembling slightly as he slipped into the chair next to mine and folded his napkin in his lap. I stared at my plate, my cheeks flaring at his intense gaze.
It wasn't until everyone else had filled their plates that I felt comfortable enough to do the same. I realized I was famished.
Jasper, Draco, and I were the only ones not involved in the conversations at the table, all of us remaining silent. I was surprised when Malfoy turned his head toward me, leaning in somewhat shyly, and spoke to me.
"How was your day?" he asked quietly, unsurely.
"It was nice, thank you," I replied uncertainly.
Was I really having a civilized conversation with Draco Malfoy? At a dinner table?
"Oh, please," Pam scoffed with an affectionate smile, brushing a few stray locks from her creamy cheeks. "Don't let her fool you. She was bored out of her mind."
"I was not," I argued, but Pam sent me an eye roll.
"Uh-huh," she chuckled.
Suddenly, there was a loud clattering noise as a glass of water suddenly crashed to the ground near Jasper's feet. The blond boy shot out of his seat, eyes ablaze in annoyance as he swiped at his shirt, now drenched in water. Beside him, Lily's eyes were wide.
"Knock it off you little brat!" Jasper exploded, turning on Lily with accusing eyes.
"It was an accident," Lily said softly.
"And you wonder why I never like sitting with you," Jasper growled. "You're always doing stuff like—"
"Jasper!" both Darco and I exclaimed at the same time, mine more of instinct and surprise and his more of habit.
I quickly glanced at Draco, but he was staring at the blond boy in exasperation.
"Apologize, now," he instructed sternly.
"Why should I?" Jasper countered, folding his arms. "She's the one that's been throwing food at me!"
"Here we go again," Ginny mumbled from across the table, rubbing her temples.
"Jasper, apologize to Lily."
Everyone was mildly surprised when I confronted Jasper, but no one was more shocked than Jasper and me. At first, I thought he wasn't going to do it; he just stared at me with those soulful brown eyes.
"No?" I continued, keeping my voice steady even though my hands visibly shook.
I had no idea what I was doing. I wasn't a parent. I didn't really have experience with kids.
Think of your parents, I thought frantically. Just act as they did with you.
"Well, then perhaps you should go to your room and think about your actions."
Jasper remained in his seat, challenging me as if to question my authority over him since I'd lost my memory. Steeling myself, I wiped my face clean of emotion and clasped my hands together to stop their shaking.
"Quite frankly, I am appalled at your behavior today and I know for certain I would not raise my children to be so ill-mannered and unkind," I said softly in disappointment. "You will go to your room and think about what you have done and you will apologize to Lily."
"But Mum, that's not fair!" Jasper protested angrily, losing his resolve. "She always gets away with everything!"
"Lily is not your responsibility, Jasper, and she knows just as well as you that there are consequences for your actions. I expect you to take responsibility for yourself and do as I say."
"Fine," he snapped and turned to Lily. "Sorry."
Then, shooting me one last glare, he bounded out of the dining room and up the stairs. Moments later a door slammed.
Silence.
Across the table, Ginny grinned at me in satisfaction. Next to me, Draco sat in a daze, staring at me as if he'd seen a ghost. After a few minutes Harry cleared his throat, issuing the end of the awkward quiet.
"Have you talked to the Italian ministry about the case I gave you, yet?" Harry asked Draco and Draco slowly turned to Harry, forgetting me as he joined his conversation.
"I don't think you understand how hard it is to reach Minister Fucini," Draco responded, his eyes twitching in irriation. "Last week I sent him five ruddy owls and he still hasn't responded to—"
Ginny cut them off by making a deep, guttural sound within her throat. Her eyes met mine and I nearly laughed at the expression in them.
"Men and their work, I swear," she muttered to me and then turned toward the two men. "How about you boys go on upstairs to Draco's study and have your little pow-wow while 'Mione and I have ours."
"Oh, I need to help Pamela with the dishes," I protested politely as the men got up and retreated upstairs.
"Absolutely not," Pam said, swatting my hand away. "I've got it taken care of. You just relax."
Why is everyone babying me? It's not like I lost a leg. I'm perfectly capable of doing dishes! I wanted to scream, but instead I let Ginny steer me away, breathing slowly and reminding myself to remain calm.
"Lily, why don't you go help Pamela in the kitchen?" Ginny suggested, giving her daughter a knowing glance. "I will discuss your little stunt at dinner once we get home."
"It was an accident," Lily responded but Ginny narrowed her eyes and Lily huffed. "Okay, well maybe it wasn't, but still!"
"Dishes, now," Ginny said, pointed to the kitchen where Haden had hopped onto a stool and was dunking bowls into soapy water and giggling profusely.
Ginny and I took a seat on the couch in the living room and I stared absently at the mantel above the fireplace, my eyes falling onto the picture of my parents.
"Hey, Gin?" I asked.
"Yeah?" she answered.
"Where do I work?"
Ginny giggled, smacking her forehead.
"Of course!" she laughed before patting my knee. "I forgot you didn't know. You work in the Auror Department."
"I—what?"
Me? An Auror? Had the world gone absolutely mad?
"You're currently a trainer and recruiter," Ginny explained.
"That's impossible," I argued, tucking a strand of tawny hair behind my ear as I tried to picture me going on missions, taking down criminals, recruiting naive teenagers from Hogwarts. "I'm—I mean I was—working for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
"I'm well aware of your former position," Ginny told me. "But now you work for the Auror Department."
"How the hell did that happen?" I wondered. "That had never appealed to me. I've always pictured myself doing something in research, mainly. Going out and fighting crime was always more of Harry's thing."
"It certainly was, but there were certain things that caused you to re-think your career path. To be fair, at first you started out mostly in the interrogation department, building research and interviewing criminals, but when Harry was elected Head in 2007, you were his first choice for an upper-level position and you became a trainer. You don't do much field work unless you are needed."
This reassured me. That didn't sound so awful or unrealistic.
"I always knew it was a matter of time before Harry took over Robards position," I said, happy at my friend's success. "And Ron? What's become of him?"
"He still works for the Auror Department," Ginny answered cryptically, refusing to give me more information, which angered me.
He may not be my husband anymore but I deserved to know why that was and what had happened.
"And you? Are you still playing for the Hollyhead Harpies?" I inquired, dropping it for the moment.
"No. I'm the Senior Quidditch correspondent for the Daily Prophet," Ginny replied with a smile.
"Why the change? You loved playing for them," I wondered.
"I was benched because of an injury and by the time I was well enough to play again, the economy had hit a pretty bad snag," Ginny explained. "It hit the Quidditch industry really hard. After a while the smaller teams that weren't as popular, like the Hollyhead Harpies, were discontinued."
"What?" I gasped. "You mean to tell me that Quidditch went out of business? How does that even happen?"
"Don't be so dramatic," Ginny laughed. "We were never that great of a team. Anyway, after that I worked at a few different places before I was offered a position at the Daily Prophet."
"And how do you like that?"
"It took some getting used to, I'll admit," Ginny replied, thinking back. "I was always a very active person so at first the desk job didn't seem too flattering, but it wasn't all that bad. I got to travel a lot and attend a lot of games. I could write my articles from home most of the time after I had my kids, so that is always helpful."
"And Draco?" I wondered. "What does he do?"
"Draco works as a senior executive for the Department of International Magical Cooperation."
I blinked and Ginny smirked. "Weren't expecting that, were you?"
"That's extremely impressive," I stated admiringly. "I'd imagine he does a very good job in that department. I heard Harry and him discussing some case matters at dinner. Do he and Harry work often with each other?"
"From time to time; it depends on if the Auror department needs to get involved for security measures or if they have a case that needs the Magical Cooperation's involvement."
I processed this in my mind for several minutes, wondering how this future could be so…strangely nice.
"Hermione," Ginny finally said with a small smile, taking my hand, "I understand that you have no memory of anything before this, but you're breaking everyone's heart by staying so aloof."
I was stunned by the sudden change in conversation.
"Gin, I-I can't just pretend to be in love with Draco Malfoy—"
"I'm not asking you to, 'Mione," Ginny assured me. "I'm asking you to have a heart. Maybe trying to develop a relationship with people isn't such a bad thing and could help you regain your memory. If not, at least you'll have support and feel more comfortable. Talk to them. Love them. Your family is quickly falling apart. You're what holds them all together; without you, they're lost. Especially the children."
I looked down at my hands as she said this. I loved Ginny and normally I appreciated her bluntness, but right now it was making me feel pretty lousy.
"You need to be a part of this family because whether you like it or not, you are a mother and a wife now. You have an esteemed career and you have responsibilities," Ginny continued, squeezing my hand. "I know it must be overwhelming and hard for you, but if you want to start getting better and having any chance at remembering your past, you need to be involved in your present and look forward to your future."
I sighed then, knowing she was right. Whether I agreed fully with her or not, these children needed a mother and they believed that I was theirs. I had to stop pretending that this wasn't real and that I was going to wake up the next morning safe and secure in the arms of Ronald Weasley. Maybe the only way I could return to the past I knew was to involve myself in this world.
And so what if I had no idea what was going on? So what if I had been thrown ungracefully into some kind of horrifying future that I couldn't explain? So what if yesterday I had been nineteen years old, unsure of myself and my future, uncertain of my choices? And so what if I had woken up the next day, eleven years in the future, a grown woman with a career, a family, and a husband?
And so what if my husband was Draco Malfoy and I had two children depending on me and a live-in nanny and my life had completely been flipped upside down and I had no idea if any of it was even real?
I took a deep breath.
I was Hermione, daughter of Jean and Robert Granger, top witch of my year. I had been tortured, bullied, and bruised by war my entire youth. I had destroyed a horcrux, helped Harry bring down Voldemort.
Surely, I could handle this.
"You're right," I told her firmly. "I'll try my best."
"Then you'll succeed," Ginny said with confidence and hopped off the couch. "It's getting late. We should be heading off. Will you go up there and tell Harry to come downstairs while I get the kids ready?"
I agreed with a nod and started out of the room when I heard Pamela speak.
"Gin, a word, please?"
Ginny cast a glance in my direction and I smiled tentatively, exiting the room. Once Ginny had made sure I was gone, I heard her enter the kitchen. They engaged in mumbled conversation that I couldn't hear. I took a step closer to the kitchen.
"Look, I'm not stupid. I get we are trying to shelter her from a lot of heavy topics right now, okay? Losing the last eleven years is overwhelming enough without throwing that in there."
I started. What was 'that'?
They were obviously withholding information, which frustrated me. Wouldn't it be helpful for me to know more about the last eleven years? Wouldn't that help me remember things faster?
"There are a lot of things she's not ready to hear, yet," Pamela stated blandly. "And I don't think we can handle her spiraling out of control again. We barely got her back after Haden was born."
"I agree. Look, Harry and I are sticking to what we promised you and Draco. When she's ready, we'll tell her what we can and be there for her."
"Good," Pamela exhaled. "I hate keeping things like this from her, but sometimes less is more. Especially in her state. She's very unstable right now and I don't know what might happen—"
"Pam, I know. I'll discuss it further with Harry and make it absolutely clear."
"Have you told Ron or Ariana, yet?"
"No, but we're stopping by the Burrow for Dad's birthday—I already explained the situation to Mum and Dad as to why Hermione and Draco couldn't make it— and I'm sure Ron is still there. In fact, I'm late. I've really got to get going."
Hearing her footsteps, I set off hurriedly up the stairs to fetch Harry. The men's voices were coming down the hallway toward Draco's study. I distantly remembered the way his study had been this morning when I'd walked in and found it demolished.
I was just about to knock on the partially opened door when I heard something that caught my attention.
"All seriousness, now, Draco," Harry was saying ruefully. "Truly, how are you?"
There was a long pause before Draco answered, "I'm fine."
"Malfoy, don't toss around with me here," Harry said firmly.
"Well, bloody hell, Potter, you don't beat around the bush, do you?" Draco snapped.
"No, now out with it," Harry demanded.
There was a heavy sigh from inside the office, which obviously belonged to Draco.
"It's been rough," he admitted. "I haven't been able to concentrate fully all day, I didn't get a wink of sleep last night—I stayed awake all night in the guest room, staring up at the ceiling, remembering everything—everything that she can no longer recall. And, mind you, that guest bed does not sleep well."
"You look like hell slapped you in the face," Harry commented and I frowned.
"I feel like hell has slapped me in the face. It feels as if I'm a complete wreck," Draco stated bitterly.
"Well, honestly, for someone who's a complete wreck, you don't seem to show it much," Harry noticed.
There was a slight chuckle.
"One of the blessings of being a Malfoy is that no one can ever tell when you're hiding something."
"Except Hermione, of course," Harry said.
There was another heavy sigh.
"She's always been able to see straight through me. It used to infuriate me to no end, but eventually I got used to the concept of being with someone, truly. She made me see things in different ways and she was the only one that believed in me enough to make me who I am today. Without her, I'd probably be lying in a ditch somewhere."
A sound of clinking glasses echoed through the hallway.
"She's certainly worked a miracle with you, in my opinion," Harry remarked. "You used to be a sodding arse. No, never mind. You're still a sodding arse."
"Oh, bugger off, Potter," Draco laughed.
They were suddenly silent, so I took that moment to rap lightly on the door.
"Come in," answered Draco.
I pushed open the door all the way and cleared my throat. Both Harry and Malfoy leapt to their feet, a glass of butterbeer in their hand. I met Draco's gaze before looking pointedly at Harry.
"Harry, Ginny wants you downstairs," I said quietly.
"Right, I should be leaving anyway. I'll see you tomorrow," he said quickly to Draco and they shook hands once more.
Before stepping into the hallway, Harry pulled me into a crushing hug.
"I know I said this before, but go easy on him, Hermione. He's a different man now, even if he's a prick. One that loves you very much," he whispered.
I watched him disappear down the hallway and turned slowly to face Draco. He had his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his black trousers and he was staring at me with the oddest expression.
Thankfully, I was provided with a distraction as Haden and Jasper scampered up the stairs and plowed into the hallway.
"Mummy, you read us a story?" Haden asked, tugging on my arm.
I stuttered. Draco hurried over to Haden and scooped him up into his arms, giving him a smile.
"Come here, champ. I'll read to you, tonight. How does that sound?" he proposed.
"Yay!" Haden shouted, locking his arms around his neck happily. "Babbity Rabbity, please?"
I glanced at Jasper, who looked less than pleased.
"You in, Jazz?" Draco asked, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Yeah, Dad, I'll be there in a second," Jasper said and Draco nodded, his eyes flickering toward me again before disappearing down the hallway with Haden wriggling in his arms.
Jasper then turned to me, his big brown eyes boring into mine with an intensity beyond his years.
"I love you, Mum. I hope you at least remember that."
His voice cracked as he said this and my heart broke.
I nodded, wondering if I should hug him, but I remained rooted to the spot.
"I'm sorry for dinner," he said finally and I watched as he followed his father's footsteps and disappeared behind the corner. Swallowing roughly, I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
Shaking my head, I walked down the hallway and turned the corner, heading back to my room for the evening to wallow. But as soon as I turned the corner, I heard the strangest thing.
"Read it again, Daddy!" Haden giggled.
"What do you say, Jazz?" Draco asked.
I peered into the room I heard their voices coming from. It was definitely a boy's room. There were two beds, one on either side of the large, blue-walled room. The most fascinating thing about the room, other than all the Quidditch merchandise and the many posters of the Tutshill Tornadoes, was the ceiling which was covered in a plethora of stars and constellations, all of which were charmed to move across the ceiling.
My eyes fell upon Malfoy, seated on the edge of Haden's bed, a book in his hands. Jasper was in the process of climbing into his navy blue bed, unlike his brother who was already tucked firmly inside his sky blue comforters.
"Sure," Jasper replied. "I like this one."
To say that I was moved by this scene would be a very gross understatement. Clutching my bursting heart, I stumbled to my room and quickly changed and washed my face. Crawling into the warmth of the silk sheets, I only then realized how empty I felt sleeping there alone.
