To eighth year and beyond
Therapy
'Maya you up here?' Draco called, as he climbed the stairs.
Maya didn't answer; she was too busy sitting on their bed, looking through a photo album.
'Hey, so I dropped Arya off at our parents and booked a table for 7 for 6 people; they're all going to meet us there.' He said, wandering in to the bathroom, taking off his healer robes.
He didn't notice Maya hadn't responded until he heard her sniff.
'Maya? You ok?' he asked, coming back out of the bathroom to look at her. 'What's wrong?' he asked, seeing the tears rolling down her cheeks.
'Therapy.' She muttered and realisation dawned on Draco's face.
'I forgot you had a session today. What happened?'
'Just talking about my mum and Aunt Lyra. I realised I barely ever mention them now. Sometimes, I feel like it's been months since I last thought about them and it makes me feel so guilty.'
'You shouldn't feel guilty. They wouldn't want you to.' He said, pulling her close to him.
'I thought I forgot what they looked like.' She whispered, running her hand over one of the pictures in the album. 'I was sat in that session and when she asked about my mum and Lyra, I couldn't picture their faces. I feel awful!'
'Please don't? It's been a long time Maya. We've been together 10.5 years– that means it's been 20 years since your mum died and almost 11 since Lyra passed.'
'But I shouldn't have forgotten them Draco! She was my mum and it's like she never existed.'
'Of course it's not. They're always in your memories and in your photos – but you can't dwell on them forever Maya. You wouldn't live a proper life if you did. Do you think they would want you to sit here thinking of them?'
Maya shook her head, but carried on crying. 'When we started talking about mum in the therapy session, at first I was ready to talk about Tonks. Then I realised who she meant.'
'Maya, nothing I say will make you feel better, but please don't beat yourself up about this. Therapy isn't about guilt – it's just about talking through any issues you have. It will get easier.' He promised.
Maya nodded again and settled her head on his bare chest.
'Why are you half-dressed?' she asked, confused.
'Well, we were going out for dinner tonight – remember? But I can cancel and just have a night in, the two of us?'
'I forgot! I would love a night in with you, but Ron and Pansy wanted to talk wedding plans tonight – we should go.'
'Ok, well we have two hours for you to get ready.'
Maya nodded and followed him in to the bathroom.
'I'm gonna have a shower.' She yawned, stripping off.
'Want some company?' he asked, watching her in the mirror.
'Hmm, I dunno…we don't have that much time, do we?'
'We have plenty of time!' he chuckled, pulling off his trousers and boxers.
…
'Sorry we're late guys. Took forever to get my hair and make-up done!' Maya smiled, as she sat down.
'Yeah, whatever you two. We know Arya's been away all afternoon and you two have been alone.' Hermione chuckled.
Maya opened her mouth to respond but then looked at Draco; both of them just shrugged.
'Well, it's hard to get alone time when your six-year-old daughter wanders through whenever she wants. Good luck with that when Thomas is older!' Maya said sarcastically; raising her glass to Hermione and Theo.
Everyone else chuckled as Hermione reddened and Theo's face grew dark.
'We'll be putting a lock on the door.'
Hermione slapped his arm. 'No, we won't!'
'Well if he will be a cock-'
'Don't even finish that sentence Theodore Nott!' Hermione whispered as everyone else laughed.
'Ok guys, so we asked you out tonight so we could discuss wedding plans with you.' Pansy said, once they had ordered their food.
'Hermione, Maya, will you be my bridesmaids? I've asked Ginny to be maid of honour.'
Maya and Hermione both beamed. 'Of course we will!'
'You two will be up there with me, right?' Ron asked, looking at Theo and Draco. 'Harry will be too.'
Draco and Theo nodded, and the couples all raised their glasses to Pansy and Ron.
'We also want Arya and Thomas in the wedding, if possible! Arya as flower girl of course. We aren't sure about Thomas yet. James will be ring bearer.'
…
'I still can't believe you two are getting married.' Maya gushed, after a few glasses of wine. The couples had all moved; the ladies sitting on one side gossiping and the men on the other discussing work.
'I know. I never ever believed I would find someone who actually loved me.' Pansy whispered. 'Now, I can't imagine my life without him.'
Maya squeezed Pansy's hand and smiled at her. 'I'm glad you found Ron, Pans; you deserve someone to treat you like a Princess.'
Pansy smiled back at Maya and the girls hugged.
…
'You know, I could get used to this.' Draco said, as they lay on the couch. 'I like drunk, horny Maya.'
Maya giggled and kissed him. 'I love hard Draco.'
Draco chuckled and kissed her back. 'You're filthy when you're drunk you know? Everything you were just saying…' he led off, trailing his fingers up and down her arm.
'You didn't like it?' she asked, smirking.
'Umm, I fucking loved it. I just wonder if you meant it…'
'What, like I lie?'
'Well, you've never mentioned that stuff before.'
'The tying up is a new thing – I don't even know why; I just want you to tie me up and do whatever the hell you want to me.' She slurred.
'Tell you what, you tell me that when you're sober and I will happily do that to you tomorrow.'
'Mmm, definitely. Get me a sobering potion now and I'll tell you over and over again.'
Draco chuckled but stood up; Maya followed him in to the kitchen. 'Here you go.' He said, handing her a small bottle. Maya swallowed it at once, never taking her eyes off of him.
'How do you feel?'
'Sober. Also, like I want you to tie me up and have your way with me.'
Draco chuckled and lifted her up, carrying her up to their bedroom.
…
'Ok, so today you are all meeting Sean for the first time. This will not be easy – Sean is a shy, untrusting child, which isn't surprising, but it does mean he may not take to you straight away. Please do not let this upset you; it's the way he is with everyone.'
Maya and Draco nodded. Arya had been prepped too; they had promised she could meet Sean as long as she didn't overwhelm him with excitement. She was currently sitting down on the floor colouring in.
'Mummy, when will he be here?' she asked.
'Soon sweetheart. You remember what we spoke about?'
'Yeah.'
Draco smiled at her and leaned down to see her drawing. He was sitting next to her on the floor when the door opened and a small boy was led in.
'Sean, can you say hello to Maya, Draco and Arya?' the social worker asked him; he looked around and then hid behind her legs.
'It's ok honey. Why don't you come and colour in with Arya?' she asked, pulling him out from behind her and leading him over to where Arya and Draco were sitting.
'Would you like to colour in?' Arya asked, offering Sean one of her pencils. He looked at her, then looked back up at his social worker, before taking the pencil. He sat down in front of Draco, who stayed where he was, not wanting to spook him.
'Have you had a nice day?' Maya asked, sitting down on Sean's other side. He looked at her, confused, but nodded.
'I painteded.' He said, holding up his hands. His palms were covered in red paint.
Maya chuckled. 'Wow, that sounds fun! What did you paint?'
'A 'ouse.'
'A house? I bet it was a beautiful house.'
Sean smiled at Maya but looked down to keep colouring.
Maya left him to it; she didn't want to push him. Eventually, Draco came back and sat on the chair next to her and the two of them watched Arya and Sean colouring and laughing together.
They then all joined in with games like 'I spy'; Sean made everyone chuckle with the ones he was coming up with.
Soon, the time was up and Maya felt sad that Sean had to go back to the children's home.
'Sean, would you mind if we came back to see you next week?' Maya asked, kneeling in front of him and fixing his shoes, which he had kicked off earlier.
Sean shrugged and nodded his head, before he took his social workers hand and left the room.
'That was a fantastic session!' the healer exclaimed, once Sean had left and Arya was occupied again. 'Sean really seemed at ease with you all and enjoyed your company which is a great start.'
Maya and Draco grinned at her and then each other, before saying their goodbyes.
…
'Do you think he was happy?' Maya asked Draco as they lay in bed cuddling that night.
'He seemed to enjoy it. I think it helped that we were all fairly relaxed. Arya was brilliant.'
'She was, wasn't she? She's going to make an amazing big sister.'
'100% she will be the best big sister ever.'
Maya smiled and reached up to kiss Draco. 'Goodnight.'
'Night baby.'
