*(J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter!)
*(I just got back from camp this weekend! I had a lot of fun! Thanks to all my lovely readers and all their wonderful reviews! And thanks for bearing with me since I've been leaving so much lately! On to the story.)
"Dad, may I talk to you?" I ask timidly, stepping into the living room. Dad's normally at home a lot earlier now, so that he can pick Scorpius up from day school. Scorpius has been adjusting to Astoria being gone for the past week, but I know he still misses her somewhat. He never talks about her, though. Dad and Astoria have been annulled, so it's like their marriage never even happened. Scorpius talks about Mum a lot more instead.
"Do you need something?" Dad asks from behind his newspaper. I sit down on the sofa accross from him.
"Do you ever think about Mum? Hermione, I mean." I add. Dad sets his paper down and looks at me strangely, as if to ask who else I'd be referring to.
"It depends on how you mean that," he says plainly, no readable expression on his face. Merlin, I thought I made it obvious.
"Dad, do you ever think about Mum? You know like..." I don't want to say it outright, and I hope Dad won't be so blind that he doesn't know what I'm trying to ask him. Slowly, I can see the realization on Dad's face. His eyebrows furrow.
"Hermione and I are two-"
"-diffefrent people. Yes, I know that. But don't you two ever think about each other? I mean, you have a child together for Merlin's sake," I remind Dad.
"Isobelle, you can have a child with someone and not be with them anymore," Dad explains, sighing. I don't see why he never expected me to ask a question like this. I mean, my parents see each other in passing, and I have to admit they've been being more civil toward each other lately, but I don't know how much of it is just a facade.
"You never were with Mum," I point out.
"I don't have to be. Your mother and I's parenting abilities aren't determined by whether or not we're together. You should know that by now," Dad tells me resignedly. I do know that, but at the same time I just think that if my parents could work our their problems, something between them could possibly work out.
"I do know that. I'm just saying that, well, the both of you could get along if you really tried. You aren't as different as you think you are," I inform Dad. In truth, I think that my parents are very similar. They're both brilliant people, they love their children more than anything, and they can both be stuck in their ways at times.
"Starting a relationship with someone isn't something that can just be done overnight, Isobelle, especially with your mother. We both have our own families to take care of, our own jobs, and not to mention the fact that we don't harbor any romantic feelings toward each other. You can't expect to play matchmaker between your mother and I just because it seems convenient for you." It's not that it seems 'convenient' as Dad put it, it's just that, maybe Holden was right. And maybe Mr. Zabini was, too.
"Why do you hate her?" I question.
"I don't hate Hermione," Dad answers. Whether he's lying or not, I'm not sure. But I do remember very clearly Dad telling Mum that he did hate her. Whether or not he said it only out of spite, I don't know that either.
"Then why don't the two of you get along? It doesn't have anything to do with me. You said that even you didn't get along when you were younger. Why? It can't be just because of her blood, and you seem to dislike her a lot more than she dislikes you." Dad doesn't look at me for a while. He looks everywhere except for me, actually.
"You wouldn't understand."
"Is that your answer? You don't want to tell me so that's what you say?" I ask. I hate how Dad avoids any question that has the potential to make him seem like he's wrong.
"She was always better than me," Dad answers stiffly. "No matter how well I did on exams, she did better. When I made her look bad, she always made me look worse. I don't think my insults bothered her, but hers sure did bother me, because they were true. She had actual friends, I didn't. She had people that liked her for who she was, I had people that put up with me. She made people like her, when I just made everyone hate me," Dad answers. I never would have guessed that Dad was jealous of Mum. If anything, he's always seemed like he wanted to be the exact opposite of Mum, not more like her.
"I don't love her any more than I love you," I assure Dad. At one point, I thought I did, but I really don't. I love both my families equally, and everyone in them. Mum, Dad, Scorpius, Hugo, and Rose.
"Isobelle, believe me, I know. And I know that you don't think I'm trying, but really, I am. I know I've failed you and Scorpius miserably. I'm not saying that because of Astoria or Hermione, or anyone else. I'm saying it because of me. All these years, I've been looking for someone to blame for why it was just you and I, but I suppose it was my fault as well." Is hell freezing over? Is Dad actually admitting that something was his fault?
"I don't blame you, Dad. Mum walked out. You stayed. As far as I'm concerned, you didn't fail me. Astoria left. You stayed. You didn't fail Scorpius either," I tell Dad. He looks at me meaningfully.
"I love you, Isobelle." I give Dad a half-smile.
"I love you, too. But you didn't answer my question." Dad looks confused.
"What question?"
"What do you think of Mum?" I ask. Of course, I'm not expecting Dad to go on and on about how amazing and special he thinks Mum is, because he doesn't think of her that way. I know that. But just some insight would be nice.
"She's a good mother," Dad answers vaguely. Well, I guess that's as good as it's going to get. Dad glances down at his watch. "I need to go pick up Scorpius from day school."
"Okay."
"You can come with me if you want, and the three of us can have a late lunch." Well, that sounds like a good idea, considering I haven't eaten in about six hours.
"Alright. You're a few minutes late, you know." It isn't like Dad at all to be late to anything. We apparate to the small school outside of Wiltshire where Scorpius spends the day. It's a wizarding school, so most of the children who go here are either around Scorpius' age or younger.
The walls are decorated with a bunch of pictures that students have drawn and posters including classroom rules, and the importance of washing your hands and such. Dad and I go up to the front desk. The witch sitting there smiles kindly at Dad and I. She has a confused expression about her face, as if she didn't expect to see us.
"Er, good afternoon, Mister Malfoy, Isobelle. How can I help the two of you today?" She asks carefully. That seems like a stupid question.
"Afternoon, Catherine. I'm just here to pick up Scorpius," Dad answers, pulling the sign-out sheet toward him. Catherine's eyebrows wrinkle.
"Scorpius isn't here, Mister Malfoy. You sent your wife to collect him, remember? She came by around ten minutes ago," Catherine reminds Dad hesitantly. Dad shakes his head.
"I did no such thing. Where is Scorpius?"
"Your wife picked him up," Catherine repeats slowly. "I don't mean to cause you any confusion, but is there a problem, Mister Malfoy?" Dad's expression darkens as he realizes what's happening.
"Of course, there's a problem! You let Astoria take my son without so much as a second thought?" Dad demands. My body goes stone-cold with nerves. How could Astoria do something like this? Scorpius is so young, and she only wants him to get back at Dad.
"She told me you had to work late, so she'd come to pick up Scorpius. Scorpius didn't object, so I didn't think anything of it. It seems to me that this is just a small understanding, I'm sure you can clear it up when you get home," Catherine promises my Dad. She doesn't know that there's no way of that happening. Not too many people know that Dad and Astoria are no longer married.
"We aren't married anymore!" Dad shouts angrily. "She kidnapped my son!"
"Calm down, Mister Malfoy," Catherine starts. I'm sure-"
"Don't tell me to 'calm down'! That's my son! Did she say where she was going? Did she say anything?" Dad questions. Catherine has a pensive look on her face, but eventually she shakes her head.
"Not that I can think of. I'm sorry, Mister Malfoy. I'll owl you if she brings Scorpius back tomorrow. Let me know if there's anything I can do at all," Catherine says helpfully. Why the hell does she think Astoria would bring Scorpius back? She's an idiot who obviously doesn't understand what's going on. Dad nods distractedly.
"You do that. Isobelle, we're going home."
As soon as we get home, Dad's a mess. He can't sit down, he can't think straight, he can't do much of anything. Not to say that I'm much better off, because I'm not. I really hope Scorpius is alright. I hope that Astoria didn't just drop him off somewhere and leave him for dead. I wouldn't put it past her. Scorpius is probably confused and scared out of his mind. Dad stands abruptly.
"I'm going over there," he says, hastily grabbing his wand. "I'm going to get my son, and I'm going to fucking kill her!" He probably means Daphne's house, but something tells me that Astoria wouldn't honestly be stupid enough to bring Scorpius back there. It's the first place Dad would look. Before Dad can leave, I stand up and grab his arm.
"Dad, don't! It isn't worth it! If you do anything irrational, we're never going to get Scorpius back," I remind him. Dad gives me an annoyed look.
"And who's being irrational in this situation, Isobelle? Because if I'm not mistaken, Astoria's the one who's abducted my damned son!" He yells.
"I know, I know. But if you do something stupid like that, you're going to Azkaban, and Scorpius and I are most likely going to be separated. It isn't worth it. Look, there has to be someone who knows what to do about this," I know I sound pretty confident about everything, but in truth, I'm not. I'm just used to being the voice of reason when Dad goes into his fits of rage. He's not one who's good at controlling his anger.
"Who? Who knows what to do in a situation like this! None of us do! That's why Hermione and I don't have spouses anymore! That's why everything is so bloody messed up! And that's why Scorpius is gone!" Dad collapses onto the sofa and covers his eyes with his hands. I hate seeing him so upset, but I don't know how to help. I think I may know of some people who can, though.
"What about Blaise? He's a lawyer, he'll know something about this. And Uncle Harry, too. He's an Auror. And Mum, she works in in Magical Law, but she'll want to know about this anyway," I suggest. I know Dad hates asking for the help of other people, but he may just have to. This isn't something that we can fight by ourselves, because Dad and I honestly don't know what we're up against. "Dad, I know you don't want help, or you don't want everyone to know, but think about Scorpius. The sooner we can get him back, the sooner things can go back to normal." Dad laughs in spite of himself.
"Because things were so great then, weren't they?" He asks sarcastically. "That's exactly what we need, for things to go back to 'normal'." I decide not to entertain myself with Dad's pessimism and go to the fireplace to Floo everyone for help. I Floo Mum first, and she says she'll be over right away.
"Isobelle, what's the matter?" Mum asks frantically, nearly tripping out of the fireplace. "You sounded like you were in trouble when you Flooed me." Mum spots Dad sitting on the sofa.
"Scorpius..." Dad mutters. Mum's eyes widen.
"Oh, heavens. What happened? Is he alright?" Dad shrugs. Mum looks to me for an explanation.
"We went to pick Scorpius up from day school, and he wasn't there. Astoria took him. We don't know where he is," I answer dismally. Mum gasps and clasps her hand to her mouth.
"She didn't..." she says in disbelief. Dad nods his head. "What are you going to do?" Mum questions. She seems as upset about it as Dad and I do. It's comforting in a strange way.
"I owled Uncle Harry, and Mr. Zabini. Maybe they'll know something," I answer.
"That's a great idea, Isobelle." Mum sits down beside Dad on the sofa. Either he's too upset to care, or my parents really are getting along right now, because Dad doesn't even say anything about it. He doesn't say anything either when Mum puts a consoling hand on his shoulder.
"I'm very sorry, Draco," she apologizes. "We'll get Scorpius back, I promise." Mum doesn't appear to realize what she said, and Dad doesn't catch it either. She said 'we'. As in she thinks of both her and Dad as Scorpius' parents, or she thinks of herself and Dad together. Maybe Dad doesn't think of Mum like that, but perhaps Mum does kind of like Dad. Or maybe she's just being nice.
"Isobelle, is everything alright?" Uncle Harry questions, coming out of the fireplace quickly. "Er, hello, Hermione?" Well, either Uncle Harry's confused that Mum's here at Malfoy Manor, or just the fact that she and Dad are sitting in such close proximity of each other without having an argument.
"Astoria took Scorpius," Dad answers for me. Uncle Harry doesn't seem to fully understand.
"Where'd she take him?" He asks. "What, have they been gone too long, do you think something's happened to them?" Dad shakes his head.
"You don't get it, Potter," he mumbles under his breath.
"He means taken as in kidnapped!" I inform Uncle Harry.
"Astoria and Draco aren't together anymore," Mum adds helpfully. I see the realization pass on Uncle Harry's face.
"Why would she have done that, Draco?" Uncle Harry asks, staying annoyingly calm. I suppose it's part of his Auror training. Dad glares at Uncle Harry.
"The hell should I know? Why do people do anything, Potter?" Dad half-shouts. Uncle Harry sighs, not in the mood to be on the receiving end of Dad's temper.
"It's just a question. I mean, if there's a specific reason, that could be some clue as to where Astoria may have taken Scorpius," Uncle Harry answers.
"Oh, I understand. So, if the reason is because my ex-wife is a crazy self-centered bint who wants nothing more than to ruin my life and hurt my children purely for her own amusement, where does that mean she's taken Scorpius?" Dad questions sarcastically.
"Look, Draco, all I was saying is that-"
"Draco, you alright?" Mr. Zabini questions, stepping out of the fireplace. He surveys his surroundings, seemingly caught off-guard by the people that are also in the room with him. Mr. Zabini turns to me for some sort of explanation.
"We went to get Scorpius from day school, but Astoria got there first and took him instead. We don't know where she went," I explain shortly. Mr. Zabini rubs his jaw, looking thoroughly annoyed.
"Draco, if it isn't one thing with her, it's another. I told you Astoria would be trouble. Daphne should have been example enough," he tells Dad. Dad turns to glare at Mr. Zabini.
"Blaise, don't start telling me all this now when it doesn't even matter," he says gruffly. "I just want my son back."
"Well, Draco, that could be a simple process, but it could also be a difficult one," Mr. Zabini says with uncertainty.
"What does that mean?" Mum asks concernedly. "Couldn't you do something, Harry?" Uncle Harry thinks about it for a moment, but then he shakes his head. He's an Auror, why can't he help?
"Not that I know of. I'm an Auror, it's only my job to catch dark wizards. Astoria doesn't really qualify as one of those yet," Uncle Harry answers.
"How can she not? My son is gone because of her! She took him! That's illegal!" Dad protests. Uncle Harry nods sympathetically.
"I know it is, Draco. But I can't really do anything without sufficient information that Astoria is performing any illegal practices on Scorpius or harming him in any way," he explains.
"Well, we wouldn't know that, would we?" Dad retorts heatedly. Mum gives Uncle Harry a pleading look.
"Really, Harry, there has to be something more that you can do?" She implores.
"Not with the situation right now, I can't. To tell you the truth, this is more Blaise's domain than it is mine. Blaise, what do you think?" Uncle Harry asks. Hopefully, Mr. Zabini will have some idea of how to help us. He'll have to. He's done so much for this family, he can't stop now.
"Well, considering Scorpius is only five, it's highly possible that a social worker would be inolved if we tried to settle this on a legal level," Mr. Zabini begins.
"Is that bad?" Dad asks.
"It's hard to say. It could make things more difficult, yes, but it isn't necessarily bad. You see, social workers like to blow things out of proportion and find anything that could write you off as a bad parent and use it against you. For example, you'd already be considered as rather unfit because you're unmarried." Mum frowns.
"That's completely ridiculous," she says. Yes, that is stupid.
"Well, has Astoria remarried that quickly?" Uncle Harry questions. Dad and I shake our heads.
"She just lives with Daphne, as far as we know," I answer. Mr. Zabini nods.
"Yes, that's right. But I'm almost one-hundred percent certain that, if confronted, Astoria would most likely fabricate some story of how she took Scorpius because she fears for his safety in your care, Draco." Dad opens his mouth to say something. "It obviously isn't true, but it would justify her actions, in the court's eyes, of course." I don't see how Astoria could be allowed to lie so easily to the court system without so much as an investigation.
"How would I go about getting Scorpius back?" Dad questions impatiently.
"You'd have to create a better parenting environment for Scorpius than Astoria. Now, that could mean a number of things. You may be able to provide better for him financially, be able to send him to a better school, spend more time with him, or anything like that. However, the best and probably the surest way would be to provide him with a two-parent household," Mr. Zabini tells us. If the scowl on Dad's face wasn't apparent before, it's even more noticeable now.
"Are you telling me that I have to get married again to get my son back from that psycopathic bitch? That's bullshit, Blaise!" Dad shouts. Blaise sighs in resignation.
"Draco, settle down," Mum whispers lightly. "I know you're upset, but perhaps Blaise has some other solutions." I hope he does, too. For everyone's sake.
"He'd better," Dad grumbles, looking up at Blaise. "Tell me there's something else we can do."
"Well, as far as the whole two-parents deal goes, that doesn't exactly mean that he has to live with you. I mean, it would be completely acceptable for him to live with your parents, Draco." As if that's any better. Dad shakes his head vehemently.
"That isn't happening. The last thing I need is something else my parents can be up my arse for."
"It really doesn't sound like a bad idea, Draco," Uncle Harry says helpfully. "It may be your only other choice." Whether that's true or not, I know he still doesn't like it. And Dad's right. My grandparents won't mind having Scorpius live witht hem, but if it were to happen, Dad would never hear the end of it.
"Is it?" Dad asks Mr. Zabini. He shakes his head.
"No, but your other option isn't a very good one. It may be pretty simple for you to get Scorpius back, but when you do, it may not be for long. You see, if you're still unmarried, and Astoria marries before you do, she'll most likely be able to take Scorpius away from you for good," Mr. Zabini informs Dad. Saying that isn't a good option is an understatement. Actually, it's the understatement of the year.
"So, basically, you're saying that I have to get married to have my son back?" Dad questions dismally. Mr. Zabini nods.
"There isn't any other option that I can think of that would work better. All of the other ones still leave Astoria with the opportunity to get Scorpius back, which is something that none of us want to happen. I'm sorry, Draco. I really am," Mr. Zabini apologizes. Dad doesn't say anything for a long while.
"Does it have to last?" He asks finally. Mr. Zabini wrinkles his eyebrows.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Draco."
"Does the marriage have to last? Can I divorce the person I marry after I'm able to get Scorpius back?"
"I suppose it would be possible, but if I were you, I'd chose a marriage that has the potential to last, or someone you'll at least still see in the event that it doesn't. That way, Scorpius won't have to adjust to having another mother-figure leave him," Mr. Zabini advises. That's a good idea, but really, it's probably going to be hard to find someone like that.
"How long after I'm married can I have my son back with me again?" Dad questions.
"Actually, you may not have to be married before then. In that case, though, you and whomever you choose to marry would have to get a petition to be married, and then probably sign a contract after that. They're very easy to obtain, and they're essentially just a set of legal documents stating that you can't go back on your marriage," Mr. Zabini explains. This puts Dad to ease somewhat. So, as soon as he can find someone to marry him and sign those documents, we can have Scorpius back with us once and for all. Uncle Harry checks the clock overhead.
"I probably need to return to work soon. Draco, I really hope that you figure something out. I'm sorry, and I can't imagine what you're going through. Er, Hermione, d'you want me to tell Ron that he should pick Rose and Hugo up, or-"
"Yes, that's fine. Thanks, Harry," Mum answers quickly. "I'll see you later." Uncle Harry waves bye before he disapparates on the spot.
"I'm afraid I may have to follow Potter's lead, Draco," Mr. Zabini adds. "You know I'm always happy to help you, but I was in the middle of some important paperwork, and I'm not certain how long it can wait."
"That's fine. Thank you, Blaise," Dad says quietly. Mr. Zabini gives Dad an uncomfortable smile.
"Anytime, Draco. Goodbye, Isobbelle, Goodbye, Hermione."
"Bye, Mr. Zabini."
"Thank you, Blaise," Mum says before he disapparates. Now that the three of us are alone, it seems as if the magnitude of the situation is finally setting in. I keep having this unreal feeling that Scorpius will be running downstairs at any minute, asking one of us to play with him. My stomach sinks every time I realize that that isn't going to happen, and it could be weeks before I get to see him again. All because of Astoria. My entire life has been ruined because of Astoria. Even though she's gone, she's still finding ways to hurt me. This is just too far. The threats and things didn't bother me that much. They angered me of course, but not to the point that this does. I was too worried about being calm and collected for Dad's sake, but now I'm letting everything sink in. Now, I'd like nothing more than to kill Astoria, too.
It's like Astoria knew exactly what she was doing. It's like she didn't take Scorpius the day she left so she could force us into thinking everything was alright, and then she would strike. But it wasn't. I don't care one bit about anything she says of Scorpius being her son. That doesn't mean anything to her. I know him better than anyone in the universe, Dad included.
"Dad, maybe you should go kill her," I say angrily. "They can't put you in Azkaban for doing the world a favor." Mum looks between Dad and I alarmingly.
"No one is killing anyone."
"Fine, bludgeon her half to death with a blunt object. Let her die in the sodding hospital," I correct. Mum frowns at me. Dad looks like he's actually considering it.
"Isobelle, let's not use that type of language. And violence isn't going to solve anything. We just need to take a deep breath and be logical about this." I swear, now isn't the time to be 'logical'. Shit needs to be done.
"He's my brother!"
"He's my son!" Dad and I shout in unison. Mum sighs.
"Draco, it isn't like Blaise didn't give you any options at all. You'll get out of this, and you'll have Scorpius back to you before you know it," Mum tells him reassuringly.
"You seem to be forgetting one minor detail, Hermione. I have to find someone to marry me," Dad reminds her sharply. Mum purses her lips, as if she forgot about that herself.
"Hmm... That is right. Well, if you think about it, I would think that you should first determine what it is that you would want your new wife to be like, and then marry a woman that meets that criteria," Mum suggests. It may seem a little obvious, but perhaps if Dad had taken the time to sit down and think like that in the first place, he wouldn't have married Astoria. Dad knits his eyebrows in thought and folds his hands in his lap.
"Well, I suppose she'd have to be a kind person, er, selfless really. And able to accept my children even though they aren't hers, and loving, too. She would have to be understanding, genuine, not willing to marry me only because of my assets. She'd have to be able to see the good in people and be very forgiving." Dad looks at Mum seriously. He fidgets with his hands in his lap, and he looks rather uncomfortable. Mum and I look at Dad, waiting for him to finish what he has to say.
"And lastly, she'd have to be... she'd have to be like you," he says quietly.
At first, I think Dad is joking. I'm waiting for him to burst out in laughter and take the mickey out of me and Mum for actually believing him. But he doesn't. His face is completely serious, and something about that scares me. Mum's eyes widen, and I know that she wasn't expecting that either.
"You don't mean..." She says hesitantly, but we both know exactly what Dad means.
"Hermione, please. I just want my son back. I wouldn't ask you if I knew there was someone else who could do it," Dad tells her. Mum gives Dad a sad look.
"I know you want Scorpius back, and I do, too. I can't stand to think that he has to spend anymore time with such an unfit mother as Astoria. But, Draco, you're asking me to marry you. Marriage is sacred, it isn't a decision we can just make on a whim. Not an hour ago, you just learned that this was a possibility. That's hardly enough time to give it any thought," Mum tells Dad gently. I know she's trying not to disappoint Dad or me, but she is. She can't come here to console us, and then refuse when we need her help the most. If she doesn't help us, we may never get Scorpius back.
"I've given it all the thought I need to. I don't care what I have to do. Scorpius is my son, and I'll do anything for him that I have to. You have children, Hermione, you have to understand," Dad pleads. I've never seen him look so weak and vulnerable in front of anyone, especially Mum. Mum has to say yes to Dad. She loves Scorpius, she can't possibly let anything bad happen to him when she knows she has the opportunity to help.
"That's the thing, Draco. I have children. I assure you that it would be an easier decision to make if I didn't have to worry about the welfare of Rose and Hugo as well. It would be quite an adjustment for them to make, and I'm not sure how they would take to it, or quite honestly, how you would get on with them," Mum explains. Dad gives Mum a look.
"I wouldn't ever think of treating Rose and Hugo any differently than I do Isobelle and Scorpius. That's the reason Astoria and I separated, do you honestly think that I would do it to your children?" He questions, sounding offended. I know that he isn't trying to sound annoyed with Mum, but she shouldn't have thought something like that, considering who she's speaking to.
"Now that I consider it, I don't think that you would. You've been very kind to Hugo and Rose, but I just... I just don't know." What can she be unsure about?
"Hermione, I'm prepared to give you anything you want. Anything. Name it, and it's yours. I'll pay off your house, send your children to private school, buy you a new house, I'll do anything. I'll even pay all of your bills for the rest of your life, just please help me, Hermione." Mum sighs and takes Dad's hand. I don't understand how she can touch him right now, it's almost like she's mocking him.
"Draco, I don't want your money anymore. That isn't what this is about. It's just that I don't think that people should marry people that they don't love, and we both know that we don't love each other. We've barely just stopped arguing," Mum points out. That may be true, but we all know that these aren't normal circumstances. My life itself isn't a normal circumstance.
"You begged Dad for a chance to be in my life, now that you've got a big one, you refuse? Mum, we need you to do this. I needed you my entire life and you weren't there. Scorpius is the thing that matters to me most, and if you don't want to do anything to try to help us, fine. But I don't want you to act like everything is okay between us when things go wrong. I love you, I really do, but I'll never be able to forgive you if you didn't at least give this a thought," I tell Mum seriously. Dad and I need her to say yes, but if she doesn't, it'll make me feel better that she at least thought about it.
"Isobelle's right, Hermione. My children need a mother and-"
"Ronald is Rose and Hugo's father," Mum says firmly. "That doesn't change."
"I know that it doesn't, and I don't want to take his place if that's not what you want. I'll be as involved with them as you want me to be. But you're Isobelle's mother, regardless. Scorpius loves you as if you're his mother. That has to mean something to you," Dad says in a persuasive tone. I can see Mum's look of refusal waning a bit.
"It does, Draco. It's just that, a lot is going to have to go into this. This is a marriage we're talking about. A false one, one that isn't based on any emotion whatsoever. How are we going to get along with each other? What are we going to tell people?" Mum asks. Merlin, she has too many questions.
"That we love each other. As far as everyone else is concerned, this marriage is real. Then, when I have Scorpius back, we can go from there. It may work out, and it may not, but it isn't that much of a loss either way," Dad answers. Mum still has a wary look about her.
"Draco, I still don't know..." She says. I can see the look of defeat in Dad's face.
"Just think about it, please? Give me your answer tomorrow morning," he tells her. Hopefully, since Mum isn't on the spot anymore, she'll have time to give this some thought and realize how crucial it is for her to accept. If she doesn't, I don't know what we're going to do.
The next morning, Dad and I are sitting at the table, trying to eat breakfast. We're both anxiously awaiting Mum's answer, no matter what it may be. I don't even know how I'll cope if her answer is a no. I'll never forgive her, that's for sure. Dad is trying to read the Prophet, but if the fact that he's been on the same page for the past fifteen minutes is any proof, he's as distracted as I am. Without Scorpius, there's an empty feeling at the table. There aren't any funny stories to be heard, or questions about the plans for the day. The quiet is filled with an uncomfortable sadness, because the reason for it isn't good.
"How did you sleep?" Dad questions, finally giving up on reading the paper and looking at me. He has heavy bags under his eyes and his skin looks almost translucent. His hair is slightly disheveled instead of being combed back like it normally is, and dark blonde stubble is apparent on chin. Normally, Dad's a very handsome man, but there isn't anything attractive about him right now. He looks out of place in his work robes. Dad is usually very strict about keeping up appearances, but he's so upset today that he doesn't even care.
"Not well... I can't believe she took him from us," I mutter, using my elbow to prop my head up on the table. Dad doesn't even bother to tell me to move it. Dad doesn't say anything back, but I know he heard me. "And the fact that Mum can help, but she's still undecided. If it were me, there wouldn't be any question about it," I continue. When I say that, it makes me realize truly how much power she has. Depending on wether she gives Dad a simple yes or no, that could determine whether or not Scorpius will live with us anymore. Sure, Dad could find someone else to marry him, but the chances seem pretty slim. Dad told me that if Mum says no, he's going to ask Pansy. I hope that doesn't happen. One meeting with her, and I already know that she isn't someone I'd want as my step-mother, and her stupidity is barely a factor.
"Isobelle, Hermione's still your mother. No matter what choice she makes, you still have to respect her," Dad tells me. How will I be able to? Mum could be the reason that I never get to see my brother anymore. I know for a fact that if Astoria gets to keep Scorpius for good, she's going to see to it that Dad and I never get to see him again. There's no doubt about it.
"I know, but I won't ever be able to forgive her," I assure Dad. "And I know you won't, either." Dad takes a long sip of coffee.
"I won't be able to forgive myself," he says with a disturbed look on his face.
"None of this is your fault. It's Astoria's fault, and Mum's fault too if she says no. We didn't have anything to do with this," I tell Dad. He doesn't look convinced.
"I should have thought something like this would happen. I should have made sure that she wouldn't have been able to even be near Scorpius, and I should have told him not to go near her either," Dad mutters, staring down into his mug. None of us thought about it. If Dad or I had for one moment thought that Astoria would take Scorpius from us, we would have mentioned it or done something about it. But we just didn't think about it.
"I wish we could just find Scorpius and take him back ourselves." Dad gives me a tired look. I must have said that at least thirty times since yesterday.
"You know what Blaise said. We go doing that, and we can kiss any chances of having him back goodbye," Dad reminds me. I know what Mr. Zabini said, but it just sucks that there's nothing we can do but sit and wait at the hand's of Mum's good mercy. And even then, she may not agree to help us.
"It isn't fair. He didn't do anything to anyone," I complain. I just hope that Astoria isn't with Daphne. Compared to Daphne, Astoria's the nice one. "Scorpius doesn't even know what's going on, he doesn't even know why."
"Do you wanthim to know?" Dad asks suddenly. "Do you want him to know why we're going through all of this?" I shake my head.
"I don't ever want him to know. I don't want him to think of us any differently because of it."
"Do you think that he would?" Dad questions. I can tell that he really wants to know. I'm not sure if Scorpius ever talks to Dad like he talks to me, so maybe he's wondering how Scorpius is interpreting everything that's been happening.
"I think so. When you find out something that you don't like about someone, it's hard to look at them the same way again," I explain. I know that first-hand. In two short months, the way I originally saw both of my parents has changed drastically. Whether it's for better or worse, I can't answer that yet, because I don't know.
"You mean me, don't you?" Dad asks. He isn't angry, he's just asking. I nod, but then I shake my head.
"Yes, I mean, no. It's the same for everyone, at least I think so," I reply. Dad glances at the window again. He's been looking out every few minutes, awaiting Mum's response. This time, he doesn't turn around, his eyes fixed on a spot in the sky. It's an owl. When it gets closer, I can tell that it's Mum's owl, Giraffe. She let Hugo name him. I stand up to open the window to let Giraffe fly in. He perches himself on the inside of the window sill and I untie the letter attached to his leg. My hands are shaking so bad, I can barely do it. I give Giraffe some owl treats before he flies off. I take the letter in my trembling hands and hold it out to Dad.
"Do you want to open it, or should I?" I ask nervously.
"You can open it," Dad tells me. "Her answer's going to be the same either way." I know Dad's trying to remain calm now, but he's just as apprehensive as I am. This is the letter that could change our lives forever. It's certainly going to change how I think of Mum. I unroll the letter and scan it over, looking for Mum's answer. When I see it, my stomach does a flip. I wanted my parents to be together, but I definitely didn't want it to happen this way.
"She said..."
*(A/N: First and foremost, sorry for how long it took to update. Secondly, sorry for the cliffhanger, but I think that it's needed to up the intensity of this chapter. I really hope no one thought that Astoria was going to walk out and never be heard from again without so much as a second word. I hope this chapter pleased all of you out there! So DEFINITELY let me know how you think this is going to pan out! Thanks for reading!)