Chapter 12:

Although he should have seen it coming, Draco was still hurt.

Astoria and Weasley had announced their engagement officially last week and Draco felt sick. More than that if he really thought about it. He tried not to. He tried to remember that Astoria was an adult, an adult who was in a relationship with someone who obviously loved and cared for her and Scorpius. He didn't have to try to remember how she had ended up with Weasley, however. No, he thought bitterly, I don't have to try very hard at all.

He and Astoria were friends now, he should be happy for her.

But why? A voice asked him, why pretend to be something you're not?

"Because it's the right thing," Draco sighed. "She deserves to be happy."

And it was the truth, Draco decided. If anyone in this world, this universe, deserved to be happy it was Astoria Greengrass. Astoria, who was pure and good, and – Gods, what did I do?

Draco grit his teeth, trying to focus back on his work. Trying being the keyword. He couldn't focus, not on his work, not on his home life (if living by himself for most of the month qualified as a home life), not on anything.

"Salazar, I'm being ridiculous," Draco said, shaking his head before leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes. He let out a long sigh before spinning his chair to face the window wall, staring out into the dreary day. Draco Malfoy had never been one to relate the weather to his mood, or something along those lines, but he decided that today would be a special day. The day was cloudy, the sun nowhere to be seen and could only be described as grey.

That's how Draco felt. There was no sun, no light. Only a thick cloud of grey, misty and unbearable.

Draco released another sigh before standing. He looked down at his watch, Salazar, I'm going to be late. He quickly put on his jacket and made his way out the door, nodding to one of his colleagues before making his exit.

#

It had started to rain by the time Draco had reached the Greengrass-Weasley residence, his jacket nearly drenched as he rang the doorbell with impatience.

He immediately felt the urge to run when none other than Ron Weasley opened the door, Idiot, you know he lives here to.

Ron coughed uncomfortably, moving aside so that Draco would no longer have to endure the downpour. "I'll, uh, go get Scorpius then," the redhead said, before turning around and heading up the stairs.

Draco rolled his eyes, how Astoria could stand Weasley he'd never know.

He could hear Ron's muffled voice from his spot in the entryway and from the sound of it, it would be awhile before Scorpius was ready to go anywhere. Draco made his way into the sitting room that was just past the stairs, looking at the pictures that framed the wall as he went. He noticed photos of Ron and Hermione's two children, smiling and waving with various family members and friends. Photos of Scorpius were everywhere too, his baby pictures, photos from his first birthday party, and everything in between. He stopped at one, drawn in by the sight of his young (ex) wife.

She stood in a pretty purple dress, her brown hair left down in ringlets. Her eyes were bright and her smile even brighter. She held their son in her arms. Draco swallowed, he remembered this day. He would always remember this day.

The day their house was finally a home. The day they were the happiest. The day they brought Scorpius home from the hospital.

Someone coughed behind him and Draco immediately turned around, "Weasley."

Ron's eyes flickered between Draco and the photo behind him, once, twice, three times before they finally rested on the man in front of him. "Malfoy," he nodded. "Scorpius will be right down, he still had some packing to do."

Draco said nothing in acknowledgement, just continued staring. Daring Ron to say something.

He wasn't disappointed, "She's out with her mother and sister, something about wedding dress shopping."

At this Draco almost flinched, almost showed emotion, a flicker of something, anything. Almost.

"Indeed," was his reply. He knows he should say something, try to be more polite to the man before him. But he can't, won't.

They let the silence hang there, neither really wishing to speak. Draco, who has too much to say, too much he can't, won't, say. Ron, who doesn't know what to say, what would be a good thing to say. Is there really anything to say?

They're both saved from the uncomfortable silence when Scorpius finally makes his appearance. "Daddy!" The six year old yells, running to his father and laughing when Draco picks him up and spins him, "I missed you."

Draco smiles his first real smile of the day, "I missed you too, Scorp." He holds his son closer, relishing in the feel of his son in his arms for the first time in months.

He had been away on business, Scorpius had said in his childlike way that he understood, that Draco had "adult things to do". It didn't make Draco feel any less guilty. He should have been there.

"Okay, let's go," Scorpius said, wriggling out of his father's grip and onto the floor, where he then grabbed his father's hand, pulling him to the door.

Scorpius called out a goodbye to Ron, Draco only nodded, and then they were on their way.

"I get to spend a whole week with you, daddy! This is going to be fun," Scorpius said as soon as they were outside.

Draco smiled, "Yes, it sure is, Scorpius."

And maybe, just maybe he'd be able to stop thinking about Astoria and her upcoming wedding. Maybe.


A/N: And after months of waiting, here is another update! YAY! I'm very sorry about the wait, life has been very, very busy. Plus lack of inspiration to write literally anything lately. So, Troubles Coming won't be updated until this fic is finished, sorry. Also, I've deleted two stories. I wasn't very proud of them, so they're gone, sorry if you enjoyed them. Anyways, don't hate me too much, I promise (and will stand by it this time) that this fic will be done before 2016 ends. You can hold me to that. Thanks for staying with this story, honestly thank you. Until next time!